Statement
by Lim Kit Siang - Parliamentary Opposition Leader, DAP Secretary-General and MP for Tanjong
in Petaling Jaya
on Friday, 22nd November 1996

Motion to refer Deputy Housing Minister, Tajol Rosli to Committee of Privileges for mischievously, maliciously and falsely alleging that Karpal Singh had attacked the Malay race as “kurang ajar” in order to incite hatred among the multi-racial population in the country

I will move a motion in Parliament on Monday to refer the Deputy Minister for Housing and Local Government, Datuk Mohd. Tajol Rosli bin Mohd. Ghazali for mischievously, maliciously and falsely alleging that the DAP MP for Jelutong, Karpal Singh, had attacked the Malay race as “kurang ajar” in order to incite hatred among the multi-racial population in the country.

The Parliamentary Hansard of the parliamentary exchanges on Wednesday, 20th November 1996 has shown conclusively that Karpal Singh had never used the words “Melayu kurang ajar” as alleged by Tajol Rosli, leading some UMNO MPs to demand action on the ground that the honour of the Malay race was being attacked, leading to a highly inflammatory situation in Parliament.

Newspapers which reported falsely that Karpal Singh had used the words “Melayu kurang ajar” should also be referred to the Committee of Privileges.

As an MP for 18 years, Tajol Rosli should have realised that such mischievous and malicious action is most dangerous and unbefitting a government leader in a multi-racial society like Malaysia, for it could plunge the country into a racial conflict.

I also call on the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamed to dismiss Tajol Rosli as a Deputy Minister to send out a clear message that the government and the society has no room for irresponsible and unscrupulous politicians who are prepared to trample on the sensitivities of a multi-racial country to the extent of arousing inter-racial misunderstanding and hatred just to score cheap personal or political points.

(22/11/96)