©The
Star (Used by permission)
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians should be wary of groups spewing lies and
provocative statements to erode their confidence in the Government in the run-up
to the general election, said Information Minister Datuk Seri Zainuddin Maidin.
Such a move was meant to create chaos that may cause people to doubt the
country’s economic strength, political stability and prevailing harmony, he
said.
Zainuddin was commenting on a statement by a lawyer in an English daily
recently on the possibility that Umno members and the Malays would hoist the
keris and resort to unbridled language at the Umno general assembly from Nov
5 to 9.
The lawyer had apparently depicted the Malays as a first-class community but
Zainuddin begged to differ, saying that the situation on the ground painted a
different picture altogether.
“It’s a pity that a lawyer has allowed himself to be exploited by some
politically-motivated individuals bent on portraying the Umno general assembly
as an arena to revisit issues which may cause anxiety among the non-Malays.
“Such a politically-charged statement is very dangerous, more so when racial
sensitivities are thrown out the window,” he said.
Zainuddin said the society held professionals in high regard and, as such, the
Opposition parties would love to exploit these people.
“Their professionalism would be sullied if they fall for the bait,” he added. –
Bernama