KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak pointed out that a clear line had been drawn between the UMNO leadership and the penumpang remarks of Bukit Bendera divisional chairman Datuk Ahmad Ismail.

"Although Ahmad Ismail is my friend, he should not have made this kind of remarks that have hurt the feelings of the Chinese community. I as the party's deputy president, and the entire UMNO leadership, have drawn a clear line between us and such remarks."

Najib said in an interview with Sin Chew Daily at his house on Friday, "This is not UMNO's stand. UMNO is drawing a very distinct line with such remarks. I hope the Chinese community will understand us."

"We are working very hard to establish a united Malaysia. However, what Ahmad has said is too depressing. Even if his speech has been garbled, what is so difficult about saying sorry?"

Najib was the first UMNO leader to have stood out and offered his apology after Ahmad's seditious remarks were made.

The DPM said the word penumpang was improper. Chinese Malaysians are citizens of this country, while penumpang or lodgers have not been granted citizen rights. The use of this word has wrought irreparable damages upon the Chinese community."

Najib went on to say, "We want the Chinese community to feel that this is their country. They were born here and will spend their entire lifetime here. This is their motherland. Even though many of them did not get their citizenships in the past, they are all Malaysian citizens now. This is where they should belong to."

He said he had made his stand very clear that he did not agree with what Ahmad Ismail had said, and that UMNO Penang state liaison committee would discuss what to do with him on Saturday.

On whether UMNO will take any action against Ahmad Ismail, he said, "Let UMNO Penang make the decision first. The state liaison committee chairman is party president Datuk Seri Abdullah."

He said he was aware that both MCA and Gerakan were grossly unhappy with Ahmad's remarks. Nevertheless, he said Chinese Cabinet ministers had expressed their gratitude that he made a clear stand on this issue.

"We are all in a big family. While we may come from different parties, we are all in Barisan Nasional. There are Chinese, Indians and Malays in this big family, and it is utterly inappropriate for any UMNO leader to say such a thing." (Translated by DOMINIC LOH/Sin Chew Daily)