BN parties caught in a dilemma - Najib

Barisan Nasional component parties are caught in a dilemma when it comes to voicing out the concerns of their communities.

Barisan deputy chairman Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said component parties felt they had to make open statements on ketuanan Melayu because they were “apparently” not making any noise. But when they did so, he said they were accused of engaging in an unhealthy practice.

“So they are always caught in a dilemma,” he said when commenting on recent statements by component parties about the concept of ketuanan Melayu not being relevant today.

Najib said the people had to understand that it did not mean that the component parties were not voicing their views because they did not read it in the newspapers.

He said that previously such views were voiced in private but the internal communication channels were not being used now.

“And this does not benefit the Barisan because people will see that the Barisan is having so many problems all the time. It is better to use our internal communication channels,” he told reporters after chairing the Cabinet sports committee meeting in Parliament yesterday.

Najib said he was not denying the need for component parties to voice their opinions but that it had to be done cautiously.

“Their statements should not cause other component parties to make opposing statements so that it looks like we are at each other’s throats all the time,” he said.

The past few months have seen Umno and component parties and Opposition parties having heated debates through the media on the concept of ketuanan Melayu.

In a related development, seven people claiming to be members of the Gabungan Graduan Melayu Muda (Young Malay Graduates Movement) went to the MCA and submitted a memorandum of protest over statements made on ketuanan Melayu.

They demanded an apology as well as RM2mil compensation.

- The Star