Perhaps Bukit Bendera UMNO divisional chairman Ahmad Ismail never imagined that his "pendatang" remarks made on the eve of the Permatang Pauh by-election could make him a subject of so much controversy within the Chinese community. The reason is simple: that was not the first time he made such remarks; he was also not the first person to have said something like that; and the Chinese community had never reacted this drastically in the past.

It was not only out of Ahmad's expectations, even the general public were taken aback by the unwavering stance adopted by MCA and Gerakan Rakyat on the remarks made by an UMNO leader questioning the citizenships of Chinese Malaysians.

The phenomenon that both the political parties from inside and outside the ruling coalition have been fighting so vigorously for the justice of the Chinese community has been very rare, and is highly commendable.

UMNO politicians have been on numerous occasions made arrogant remarks that have hurt the feelings of the Chinese community. Inside the Parliament or in UMNO general assemblies, the self-respect, identity and status of non-bumiputras, in particular the Chinese, have become the regular subjects of these haughty politicians.

Whenever some invasive remarks have been published on the local media, there are always harsh reactions of dissatisfaction and condemnation, but they often settle down instantly with no follow-up actions being taken.

If MCA and Gerakan had adopted such a tough stance decades ago, perhaps UMNO politicians would not have been so arrogant as to make frequent remarks that might hurt the feelings of the Chinese community today.

Ahmad's remarks have stirred up a storm this time. MCA and Gerakan members not only organised signature collecting campaigns, but have also lodged some police reports. Besides being intolerant of the arrogant acts and remarks of the politicians, we cannot rule out the possibility that both MCA and Gerakan are eyeing on greater roles to play in their upcoming party elections.

Without the slightest doubts it will be regrettable if such a significant issue has been reduced to nothing more than the chips for party elections. Having said that, it is not too bad if what has been done by MCA and Gerakan could eventually force UMNO politicians to realise the importance of other ethnic groups in this country.

Over a week after the "pendatang" remarks, deputy prime minister cum UMNO deputy president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak finally offered a word of apology to the Chinese community for what Ahmad Ismail had said, and promised that the UMNO supreme council would deliberate the actions to be taken against him. Nevertheless, the perpetrator has so far left his lips tightly zipped. Even if Ahmad does eventually apologise, this case should not be closed so long as stern actions have not been taken against him.

On such a rare occasion have we seen both DAP, the ruling party in Penang, and MCA stand on the same front and lodge police reports, demanding that Ahmad be dealt with under the Sedition Act. Many might think that if the police could charge Raja Petra Kamaruddin and other bloggers under the Sedition Act, they should also be dealing with the person making the highly seditious "pendatang" remarks under the same act!

However, we have not seen any move from the police last few days. Obviously, the police have double, or even multiple standards when citing the Sedition Act. If the police just sit on the police reports lodged by MCA and DAP, does it mean that the case will eventually end up, like many other similar ones, unresolved?

Even as Najib has apologised, the apology will not help completely heal the wounds of the Chinese community and appease their fury. If UMNO does not take the appropriate punitive actions against Ahmad, who knows more Ahmads will emerge soon, continuing to trample on the self-respect of Chinese Malaysians?

The "pendatang" remarks may offer a unique opportunity for both MCA and Gerakan. If Permatang Pauh voters' decision is not strong enough to wake up UMNO, perhaps MCA and Gerakan should seriously contemplate on the directions they are going to take in the future. (By TAN POH KHENG/Translated by DOMINIC LOH/Sin Chew Daily)