| Don't Be Afraid Of The Keris, Says Hishammuddin |
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KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 26 (Bernama) -- Umno Youth Chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein Friday reminded the Chinese community they need not fear and have a misconception of the 'Panca Warisan' keris, a new symbol of the movement's political struggle.
Hishammuddin, who is also Barisan Nasional Youth Chief said the keris was aimed at injecting a new spirit among the younger Malays and had no ulterior motives.
"The Umno Youth sees the keris as a symbol of our renewed spirit in empowering the Malays through the umbrella of Umno. This does not mean that we would not be empowering the Malays through Barisan Nasional," he told a press conference after attending the Gerakan Youth and Wanita's 18th assemblies at Menara PGRM here.
Hishammuddin was asked to comment on why he had lifted the keris into the air at the Umno Youth general assembly last month, which became a hot topic among MCA delegates at their assembly on Aug 20.
At the assembly, several MCA delegates questioned Hishammuddin's action which drew various negative reactions, with the issue making front page headlines of Chinese language newspapers.
Asked whether he was afraid the issue would be blown out of proportion, Hishammuddin said, MCA leaders should play their role in explaining to the grassroots the actions of some factions who were politicising the issue for personal reasons.
He said leaders should show that it was not a major issue, and that it was not something they should be scared of.
"If the community (Chinese) is still afraid of the keris, then, I believe they are not able to compete in today's globalised world, which is talking about atomic bomb, nuclear and scud missile," he said.
MCA Youth Chief Datuk Liow Tiong Lai when asked to comment on the matter said the movement regarded the issue as being resolved as Hishammuddin had given his explanation to him and several other MCA leaders.
However, Liow said he himself would go to the ground and explain to the grassroots on the matter to avoid the issue from being further misinterpreted.
Meanwhile, when asked on the political scenario which witnessed elected politicians having family ties with existing party leaders, Hishammuddin said, this depended on the system and process in a certain party.
Hishammuddin said the fate and position of a leader would be decided by delegates and that politics is not a game.
Recently, the son of former MCA President Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik, Ling Hee Leong was elected as Deputy MCA Youth Chief while Gerakan President Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik, Si Pin won a similar post in the Gerakan Youth.
-- BERNAMA
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