One of the scions of the illustrious Tan family of Malacca has taken offence to Ahmad Ismail. "…for some Malaysian Chinese to be called a "'squatter' is an insult," sasid Tan Siok Choo in her column in The Sun Monday (8 Sept).

"My forefathers came to Malacca in 1771. Even in August 1957, my family had been living in Malacca for 186 years. How many Malays can claim this long period of residence?" she asked.

Quoting Jonathan Swift (of Gulliver's Travels fame), she said, "There is none so blind as that that won't see."

Ahmad, of course, is the controversial Bukit Bendera Umno division chief, who reportedly said Chinese are "squatters (penumpang)" and therefore cannot enjoy equal rights. (MySinchew)