Repent: Defiant Umno warlord tells Gerakan
By Athi Shankar, Free Malaysia Today
GEORGE TOWN: Ahmad Ismail, who is set to make a comeback as the Bukit Bendera Umno division chief, is the same man he was two years ago – defiant.
Speaking at a press conference in Tanjung Bungah today, the Umno warlord once again insisted that Gerakan must apologise.
He also denied being a racist, and described himself as someone sacrificed to appease the critics baying for his blood.
The press conference was held to announce the en bloc resignation of all 36 Bukit Bendera Umno division members, in order to pave the way for a fresh polls so that Ahmad could reclaim his post.
The firebrand Umno leader, who commands a sizeable grassroots following, was slapped with a three-year suspension in 2008 for making racist remarks, which drew flak from MCA and Gerakan.
He labelled the non-Malays as ‘pendatang’ or immigrants, and therefore argued that they were not entitled to the same privileges as the Malays.
Despite the subsequent outrage, Ahmad refused to apologise and in a heated press conference later, his supporters tore posters of Gerakan president Koh Tsu Khoon.
Following this, Penang Gerakan severed all ties with the Umno division.
