20131009 PRESS STATEMENT BY ACCCIM PRESIDENT
The former Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam has been reported by Malaysian Insider to have made some very negative remarks on Malaysian Chinese in a recent entrepreneurs forum organized by PUNB.
Among other things, he was reported to have said that the Chinese were ungrateful in not supporting BN despite all the helps given to them, resulting in his defeat in the 13th General Election. He further accused the Malaysian Chinese for alleged involvement in “illegal businesses” in the country, citing casinos, 4D, Toto, gambling, massage parlors and ah long.
I, as President of ACCCIM, the premier representative body of the Malaysian Chinese business community, have been tasked to refute such wild allegations. To put the records straight:
1. Datuk Seri Ali Rustam’s defeat should not be deliberately blamed on the Chinese voters, as he contested in a Malay majority constituency;
2. The Chinese voters had given very strong support to BN in the 1995, 1999 and 2004 General Elections, resulting in major victories of BN candidates, but the support has dwindled in 2008 and 2013 General Elections owing to many factors, among which a major one is the frequent negative remarks and actions by some ultra-rightist leaders in UMNO;
3. All members of ACCCIM’s Constituent Chambers nationwide, and in fact all entrepreneurs in the Chinese community have worked hard on their respective legitimate businesses, contributing significantly to national economy and revenues;
4. The development and progress in Malacca, in particular the industrial growth, is due largely to Chinese investments;
5. Casinos, 4D, Toto and a variety of recreational and entertainment businesses are legal activities as long as they are approved and licensed;
6. All illicit or criminal activities are not committed by any single race alone. They are the dark side of society transcending all ethnic groups, as existed anywhere else in the world.
I would like to stress that, as Malaysia progresses towards a more democratic and advanced society, political leaders should not lag behind, still expecting unquestioning obedience like the children towards their parents. What the society needs now is a better Government which can effectively overcome current social and economic problems, and lead the people of all races towards fulfilling the vision of a high income society. BN stands a good chance to win back the heart of the voters who did not vote for its candidates in the 13th General Election, if the political leaders in it speak and act positively to grip the chance. Negative words and actions would only spoil the chance.
