Ti Lian Ker was comparing the current crop of youth leaders in Umno and PAS with regards to the flag blunder.
From Lee Chai Wah
I refer to the letter by Terence Netto, titled “Much to prefer in Puad-Ti clash than Akmal-DAP Youth slanging match” published on Aug 20.
Netto wrote that former MCA vice-president Ti Lian Ker wants the party to leave Barisan Nasional, and “holds PAS these days to be more rational than Umno”.
However, a report published by another news portal on Aug 17 contradicts Netto’s assertion.
In the said report, Ti explicitly stated that his remarks, which were first reported by Malaysiakini, were not aimed at whitewashing PAS. Nor was it about pushing for MCA’s exit from BN, but keeping the coalition intact amid concerns over the growing Umno-DAP alliance.
Again, based on the Malaysiakini report, Ti never said that PAS these days was more rational than Umno.
Ti was quoted as saying: “In a way, (Umno Youth chief Dr) Akmal (Saleh)’s actions, in this respect, are worse than his contemporaries in PAS”.
Ti was therefore comparing the current crop of youth leaders in the two parties and not the party itself.
Based on the context – the reaction to the blunder involving the Jalur Gemilang – Ti was merely referring to and comparing the response to the controversy and nothing more.
It was an observation and in no way an endorsement of PAS and its policies, past or present. Jumping to conclusions and making wayward assumptions is incorrect, especially when it was explained and expressed otherwise.
It must also be pointed out that Netto’s comments were also based on remarks by Umno Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi, which have no reference to Ti’s statements.
Puad had reminded Ti of PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang’s 1981 sermon on kafirs (infidels), when arguing against the claim that the Islamic party was more rational than Umno.
But Puad’s argument is off track, as it did not take into account the specific issue mentioned, which is the comparison of Akmal and his contemporaries in PAS.
Instead, Puad defended Akmal’s posturing as patriotism and chose not to address the comparison made by Ti in regards to how Umno Youth and PAS Youth reacted to the matter.
The point was about tone and decorum, not ideology, and certainly not an endorsement of PAS.
Ti’s remarks must be seen in that context, and not twisted into something irrelevant.
Lee Chai Wah is the general secretary of Kuantan MCA.
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.
