Wee Ka Siong: Papers have no intention of turning bumi agenda into racial issue

(The Star) – It is unfair to blame the Chinese newspapers of turning the Bumiputra Economic Empowerment Agenda into a racial issue when they are only reflecting the views of the Chinese community, says Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong.

The MCA Youth Chief said the Chinese media had always been the mouthpiece of the Chinese community by accurately reporting and analysing their sentiments and aspirations.

“They have a responsibility to report the truth in order to keep their readers up to date of current affairs, and they have no intentions of stirring up racial issue,” he said in a statement.

Dr Wee was responding to a statement made by Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor who has reportedly lashed out against the Chinese newspapers for allegedly turning the agenda into a racial issue.

He said when the Government’s Bumiputra Economic Empowerment Agenda came to light, it naturally caused the non-Malay community to fear that they were being marginalised.

“Thus, the Chinese media as the mouthpiece of the Chinese community had reflected their views objectively and truthfully. So it is not fair to say that the Chinese media are inciting racial hatred when they were only performing their responsibility.

“He (Tengku Adnan) obviously does not understand the role played by them,” said Dr Wee.

Dr Wee, however, agreed that there were indeed certain vernacular media which publish inflammatory and racist reports.

“These types of the media are the real culprits behind racial hatred. Living in a multiracial country like Malaysia, we should practise mutual respect to allow everyone to develop and progress, and this is the role played by the Chinese media in relaying the voice of the Chinese community,” he said.

Separately, MCA Young Professionals Bureau chief Datuk Chua Tee Yong said affirmative action by the Government should include all other agendas such as education and welfare of the people.

On the economic empowerment agenda, Chua said it should be needs-based rather than just focusing on the bumiputras.

A recent analysis on household incomes showed that 34% of homes took in less than RM3,000 a month, he said, adding that this significant percentage consisted of all Malaysians regardless of race and religion.

“Therefore, I strongly urge the Government to reconsider its stand and adopt a more inclusive approach,” he said.