TASEK GELUGOR, Sept 6 – Umno president Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi declared today that Datuk Ahmad Ismail, the Bukit Bendera division chief, is not a racist.
A tense-looking Abdullah also told reporters after a two-hour meeting with Penang Umno division heads, including Ahmad, that the freedom of speech had been abused in recent days, resulting in rising racial tensions.
His comments are not likely to end the debate sparked off by Ahmad's remarks about the Chinese being squatters in Malaysia during the recent Permatang Pauh by-election campaign.
Various leaders of Chinese-based parties in the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition have demanded their parties pull out of the coalition if Umno did not take action against Ahmad.
The prime minister's decision not to take action against Ahmad comes as a surprise especially after deputy Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak had apologised for the remarks on behalf of the Bukit Bendera Umno chief.
The Malaysian Insider understands that the Umno president came under severe pressure from his state's division heads to back Ahmad during the meeting today.
While he did not explicitly back Ahmad, he repeated to the press Ahmad's explanations that what he said was "historical fact" and that his remarks had been misinterpreted.
"As the Bukit Bendera division head, he has been supporting non-Umno candidates in the constituency, so that shows that he is not racist," said Abdullah, while flanked by all the division heads who attended the meeting, including Ahmad.
The Umno president said that Ahmad had presented his case during the meeting.
"This was the first time we are hearing from Ahmad and he said that the remark was historical fact and he reiterated that he is not racist," said Abdullah.
"He was also upset as what he said was misinterpreted," he added.
Abdullah urged everyone to refrain from making racial remarks.
"Sensitive matters that may cause tension whether it is on religion, social contract, shouldn't be brought up. What happen is, freedom of speech is being abused," he added.
He hoped that the media would also be careful when reporting sensitive issues.
"I hope the newspapers do not manipulate issues that may cause tension and distrust among the people," said Abdullah.
"We must realise that this is a multi-racial country, and we have been handling race relation issues effectively," he added.
Yesterday Ahmad with the support of all Umno divisions in Penang said that he would not apologise for allegedly calling the Chinese squatters at a rally in Kampung Pelet near Bukit Mertajam, last month.
"It was the reporter who twisted my words who should apologise to every Malay and Muslim for inciting racial hatred," added Ahmad.
Last Thursday, Abdullah said apologising was the right thing to do, after his deputy, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak apologised to the Chinese community over Ahmad's remark.
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How are we going to trust a PM who has been flip flop with his decisions?