Join Hands, says Pak Lah

Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's Deepavali Message to Malaysians and in particular, directed to ad hominem and jingoistic Politicians:

Abdullah said he wanted all Malaysians to come together and ensure that no group was left behind, and that all Malaysian have their share in the country’s success.

“Let us join hands, multiply our efforts and forge ahead with one objective irrespective of race and religion, to take our beloved country to ever greater heights of glory, distinction and excellence.


This is what MIC president Samy Vellu had to say:

Tolerance and mutual respect for each other have contributed to a better understanding among the communities and greater harmony in the country. MIC President Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said the Indian community had helped preserve unity and stability and shown their maturity in race relations.



This is what MCA President Ong Ka Ting had to say:

"The celebrating of Deepavali is proof of the solid unity among Malaysians. By joining in the celebrations, Malaysians showed that unity could be achieved and enjoyed by all despite their religious and cultural differences. "

Again, this is what UMNO President Abdullah Badawi had to say:

“Malaysians bear a collective responsibility to respect each other’s sensitivities and celebrate each other’s cultures in the nation’s endeavour for greater integration.”

AND ... this is what had happened all along, repeatedly and with considerations in respect of each other's sensitivities:



DATUK BADRUDDIN: “I am talking about Muslims. I am not talking about KELING.”

DATUK BADRUDDIN: "...in Kedah, keling was used by the northerners to refer to Indians. “I don’t mean it as an insult,” he said, but went on to say that Kedahans used terms such as keling jual roti and keling botol."

DATUK BADRUDDIN: "If the Speaker of the Dewan could wear a songkok, why was it that the female Parliament staff could not cover up. “I suggest that the officers respect the Dewan and cover themselves up. This should not be a problem; in fact, it is beautiful.”.

DATUK BADRUDDIN: “Non-Muslim can wear whatever they want. That was why I told Batu Gajah PM Fong Po Kuan in the House that she can wear a bikini for all I care, she is not Muslim.”



KHAIRY: "Umno Youth calling for a return of the NEP is no longer a hidden agenda or something only in spirit and soul. This should be the basis for the country's economic planning in the coming Ninth Malaysia Plan with no shame or excuses. No need to hide. This is the Malay agenda.”

HISHAMUDDIN: "UMNO Youth will not compromise or apologise for aiming to revive the New Economic Policy (NEP) to ensure that bumiputra own 30% equity in the nation’s economy. There was a small group of narrow-minded people who opposed our aspiration to put forward the Malay agenda. We will defend our agenda. It was not we who are narrow-minded but these small groups of people who have such a mindset. The spirit of the Malay Agenda would be our efforts to ensure that education was set on a level playing field.