Thursday, February 04, 2010

Controversial Nasir Safar

Below are excerpts of Press Statements and blog articles by Politicians as well as pro BN bloggers with regards to comments allegedly uttered by Nasir Safar, Special Officer to the Prime Minister of Malaysia.



--- start ---

Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad

“This is a very bad statement to make. Even if it’s true, we don’t say things like that. These people have been here all these years. They are in fact the descendants of the people who came here. They have not just arrived,” Dr Mahathir said.


PM's Department

Datuk Nasir never intended to make any derogatory remarks. He spoke at length on the contributions made by all races in developing the country. Nevertheless, Datuk Nasir apologises for any offence caused. In light of this, Datuk Nasir will tender his resignation.


Ong Tee Keat
I welcome the Prime Minister Office’s immediate clarifications yesterday that Nasir’s statement does not reflect the views of the Najib administration. But the damage has already been done and further action needs to be taken, including possible disciplinary proceedings or invoking sedition laws. Racism and bigotry are distractions that will hamper our genuine efforts to develop the economic and social well-being of the country.


Ti Lian Ker
It is even more disheartening that his racist remarks associating the flesh trade with the Chinese community whilst referring to the Chinese and Indians as “pendatang” were delivered at a seminar ironically entitled “Rapat 1Malaysia” in Malacca. Rather than contributing towards enhancing harmony, Nasir’s delving on stereotype derogatory identities have polarized society even further. He had also gone against the very spirit and fabric of 1Malaysia concept propagated by the Prime Minister.


P Kamala Nathan

The authorities should take the strongest possible steps by charging him with sedition. This is to act as a deterrent to others while reinforcing that a resignation doesn’t resolve one of such serious mistakes.


Rockybru
I must say that I was not there at the forum to hear it but I happened to be at the press conference given by Ali Rustam, the Chief Minister of Melaka, who said Nasir Safar's remarks went against the spirit of the form and the spirit of 1Malaysia. "This is Melaka, we don't say things that hurt other races," the Chief Minister said.


BarkingMagpie
I was made to understand he spoke in front of a multi-racial audience including civil servants and politicians. It was bad manners for a man to have the gall to say things that could bring disrepute to the country and unnecessary anguish to Malaysians! Nasir, before he resigns, must also make a public apology for his totally uncalled for remarks!


Barisan National Youth ( I wonder if the Party leaders gave the green light to them )
“His resignation is not enough as this issue is too sensitive. We want the Home Ministry to arrest him under the ISA.”


--- end ---

Now, my turn to comment. Like it or not, I do not agree with Barisan Nasional Youth's stand to push for ISA to be enforced on Datuk Nasir Safar's words.

He has duly resigned as the Special Officer of our PM and claim individual responsibility over his words. In no way is his stand reflective of our Prime Minister, UMNO or Barisan Nasional.

Why must Datuk Nasir Safar be arrested under ISA ? BN Youth must be clear that the Youth movement and the senior movement were among those who called for an ISA review.

If his words are deemed insensitive towards Malaysian unity and could contribute to instability, then allow the Police and Attorney General to prosecute him based on other Malaysian laws (if any).

Leave ISA out of this matter. He is just a Special Officer, not a Leader. His words carry no weight and BN politicians have unanimously condemned his remarks made in Malacca.

Having said this, the message by the Prime Minister's Department is clear.

None of us agree, acknowledge or condone to such insensitivity and utter disrespect to all communities who contributed to the nation's success - be it Malays, Chinese, Indians, Sikhs, Iban, Kadazan, the Aborigines (Orang Asli), as well as other tribes and races.

The "get out now" message or "I am sorry, I claim responsibility and I quit" message is sufficient and let us move on.

We have kids to educate, hungry families to feed, a sleeping economy to develop, and a successful nation to build.

8 comments:

C L J said...

If this isu is due for an action under ISA, than we can figure out tens of thousands more should go through same treatment (especially from other side of the banks). Rational is the root of tolerance.

Anonymous said...

Orang yang waras dan ikhlas tidak akan mengungkap kata-kata kesat sebegitu.

Orang yg berhati mulia dan ikhlas tidak akan menghukum orang lain yg telah menyesal perbuatannya dan memohon maaf diatas ketelanjuranyya.

Orang yang waras dan ikhlas akan sentiasa berhati-hati dengan kata-kata dan tindak-tanduknya.

Tidak ada seorang manusia pun di atas mukabumi ini sanggup mengaku dirinya sempurna kecuali Firaun yag berani mengaku dirinya tuhan.

Anonymous said...

we can detain Nasir under ISA if his action proven to affects national security e.g riots, demo, rallies whatseoever. but until that, he may live freely...

Anonymous said...

Oh? So when someone from the Opposition parties mention something deemed controversial he is immediately apprehended into ISA, and yet when a government servant mentions insensitive, racist remarks he is should just resign and all is forgiven? IS THIS NOT DOUBLE STANDARDS?

"Leave ISA out of this matter. He is just a Special Officer, not a Leader. His words carry no weight and BN politicians have unanimously condemned his remarks made in Malacca." Oh so if a person is insignificant his words does not matter? Unfortunately, he is a member of the government, carrying a rank in the department. What rank should a person be for his words to matter? In the same sense, you hold no rank in society, what is the significance of your words? Why do you even blog?

Every person has their individual views and even though it may be controversial or offensive, it is still their point of view, and he should be responsible for it. I don't support the ISA but I think he should be apprehended with heavy punishments for uttering such remarks at a 1Malaysia Camp. How ironic.

If this is what BN has "improved" after 2 years, god knows how much more racists like him are in this can of worms. I can't believe you can still talk with pride over it.

Anonymous said...

no need ISA for him because he is just another coffee boy - he's just reading out his master's script. who is his master?

Anonymous said...

Dear Mr Goh,

It's ironic for you to show sympathy to a person who has incited racism in Malaysia.

Why dont you write something to inflame the hearts of UMNO members and then apologise to them..let's see what will happen to you?

Or maybe say something when you are on the Plane like..I have a bomb in my Bag and apologise having said it..let's see what will happen to you?

You are very naive and an immature writer.

katdog said...

I don't support ISA. I want to see it abolished. However, BN continues to vigorously defend the use of ISA.

Therefore its always interesting to point out the hypocrisy and the way ISA is used by BN.

A reporter who merely reported racist comments made by UMNO's Ahmad Ismail was detained under ISA.

Now here, a senior aide made unquestionably racist remarks in a public gathering. The response: "He is just a Special Officer, not a Leader. His words carry no weight"

Are we saying that a reporters word carries more weight then?

If you can haul up a reporter for trying to 'stir racial sentiments' by just reporting what a racist said, then honestly if we truly are fair and use that same yardstick, Nafir Safar ought to be hauled up for ISA. Unless we are saying its ok to spread racist sentiments. Its just not ok to report it in the newspapers?

But of course i ain't calling for him to be hauled up under ISA cause i don't support it. Just wanted to point out the hypocrisy.

Plus i might add, Nafir Safar is but one among thousands in UMNO that think like him. Getting rid of him won't change a thing. There hundreds more eager 'champions' ready to 'fight' for Ketuanan Melayu.

katdog said...

And Dr. M says "Even if it’s true, we don’t say things like that"

Ha! ha! Meaning to say, although it might be true that the non-Malays are descendants of prostitutes and beggars, as sensitive tolerant people we don't say it out loud.

Ha! ha! I'm sure non-Malays feel a whole lot better about the issue now. UMNO being tolerant sensitive people are kind enough not to say in your face what they believe: non-Malays are nothing more than descendants of prostitutes and beggars.