By Teresa Kok, MP for Seputeh
Ismail Sabri Deserves to be Expelled as Cabinet Minister. It is a Test to Najib On Whether He is Still Committed to “1 Malaysia” concept.
Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s call on the Malays to boycott Chinese businesses requires serious action that commensurates with the severity of his racist and insensitive remarks.
There must be no leniency or compromise and the only option for the prime minister is to immediately expel him from the Cabinet.
If UMNO Bukit Bendera division chief Datuk Ahmad Ismail who described Chinese Malaysians who came to Malaya as immigrants or “pendatang” in 2008 could be suspended from UMNO and stripped of party post for three years; and if Gerakan leadership could suspend the membership of its delegate Tan Lai Soon who said Malays are immigrants or “pendatang”, then Ismail Sabri deserves to be suspended or even sacked from UMNO, to prove that UMNO does not tolerate racism.
It is a test to Najib on how he handles this case as it will reflect whether he is still committed to“1Malaysia” concept.
Ismail Sabri’s racist comments will surely hurt Malaysia’s international image when his comments are reported in the international media.
Najib has often talked about the 1 Malaysia and moderation concepts, Ismail Sabri’s remarks tantamount to challenging such concepts.
Malaysia is a multi racial nation where racial harmony must be on everyone’s mind, yet a Minister like Ismail Sabri has made comments that can incite racial hatred and conflict.
On the above grounds, Ismail Sabri deserves an immediate expulsion, not to mention the hurt that he has caused to the Chinese community.
His latter clarification that his call for racial boycott was directed at Chinese businesses whom he said were “reluctant” to lower their prices has further proven two things:-.
– firstly, he has stood by his racist comment,
– secondly, despite having been heavily criticized for his initial comments, he has shown no remorse at all.
MCA and Gerakan Ministers who have rejoined the Cabinet last year claiming that they want to champion the interest of the Chinese community must make no compromise and demand Ismail Sabri’s sacking as a Minister.
Ismail Sabri has also acted most irresponsibly by asking for the boycott of Old Town White Coffee because the DAP Ngeh’s family owned shares in it and are anti Islam.
How could a Minister spread such lie and falsehoods when Ngeh Koo Ham has more than once in the past clarified that he never has, neither has he now nor in any part of his life, had any share in Old Town White Coffee .
It is a lie to say that Ngeh or DAP is anti Islam.
DAP gives full supports to Ngeh to file legal suit against Ismail Sabri if he refuses to apologise.
