Media Statement by Lim Kit Siang in Petaling Jaya on Friday, 16^th April 2010: 

When Muhyiddin repeats he is Malay first, Malaysian second, no wonder there is blackout at the MCA 1Malaysia Government Transformation Programme briefing

Yesterday there were two 1Malaysia programmes – the launching of the 1Malaysia Motivation Expedition Squad by Gagasan Pelajar Melayu Semananjung (GPMS) by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and the 1Malaysia Government Transformation Programme (GTP) briefing organisd by the new MCA President Datuk Seri Dr. Chua Soi Lek and featuring the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Idris Jala.

When Muhyiddin proudly reiterated that he is Malay first and Malaysian second at the GPMS launch, no one is surprised that there was prolonged blackout at the 1Malaysia GTP briefing in MCA headquarters on the same day.

In fact, every time Muhyiddin declares that he is Malay first and Malaysian second, he is delivering an open slap in the face of the 1Malaysia and KPI Minister, Senator Tan Sri Dr. Koh Tsu Koon.

Forty, thirty or even 20 years ago, the twisted logic and reasoning given by Muhyiddin to justify his “Yes, I am a Malay first and no apologies” stance might have a powerful market, but in the 21^st century and the second half-century of Malaysia’s nation-hood, such ultra views are facing a diminishing support base.

If Muhyiddin had espoused the view that he is Malay first and Malaysian second in the sixties, seventies, eighties and even nineties, not many would criticize him.

But for him to remain unchanged even in the year 2010, while the country has undergone over five decades of nation-building, Muhyiddin should not think he could get away with such ultra views so easily.

It is precisely because Malaysia has evolved in the past 53 years to become a more united multi-racial Malaysian nation that the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had come out with his signature theme and campaign of 1Malaysia, where everyone regards of himself or herself as Malaysian first and ethnicity, whether Malay, Chinese, Indian, Kadazan or Iban second.

It is of course not possible to make everyone of the 27 million Malaysians to adopt such a 1Malaysia objective overight, but if the Deputy Prime Minister himself is not prepared to set an example of being a Malaysian first and Malay second; the MCA President, Datuk Chua Soi Lek and Gerakan President Tan Sri Dr. Koh Tsu Koon dare not declare that they are Malaysian first and Chinese second; they are making nonsense of the entire 1Malaysia concept and slogan.

*Lim Kit Siang, DAP Parliamentary Leader & MP for Ipoh Timor