KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 26 — An Umno Youth leader has taken offence to remarks on the recent Petaling Street ruckus made yesterday by China’s ambassador to Malaysia Huang Hui Kang, and is demanding intervention by the Chinese government.
In a statement on picture-sharing application Instagram, Armand Azha Abu Hanifah, an Umno Youth exco member, noted that Huang had said during his visit to Petaling Street yesterday that China would not stand idly by if the Chinese community here continue to face threats.
“I, speaking on behalf of the Brigade Kesatria Muda movement in Umno Youth, would like the Chinese government to explain this statement by the ambassador.
“If it is true the statement was made, I urge him to apologise to the Malaysian government and the Malaysian people,” he said.
Yesterday during his walkabout at the area known as Chinatown, Huang read out a statement where he said that Beijing would not hesitate to speak out against any threat that may affect the country’s ties with Malaysia.
“Nobody has the right to undermine the authority of the law or trample on the rule of law,” Huang said.
“The Chinese government has always pursued peaceful co-existence in international relationship and non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries.
“But with regard to the infringement on China’s national interests, violations of legal rights and interests of Chinese citizens and businesses which may damage the friendly relationship between China and the host country, we will not sit by idly,” he was quoted by Malaysiakini as saying in his statement.
But Armand told the ambassador that it was the Malays and Bumiputera in Malaysia who were under threat by the Chinese.
He accused the Chinese community of provoking the Malays with insults both towards the “Malay Bumiputera” community and the “Malay-Muslim leadership”.
“It is their uncouth behaviour that has infuriated the majority of Malay Bumiputeras in the country.
“The Malays always respected the rights of those of other races and religions from before. But those given these rights should similarly known to respect the rights of the Malay Bumiputeras,” Armand said.
“To the Chinese ambassador, the Malaysian government has never interfered in China’s domestic affairs because it respects bilateral ties. Therefore, I would like to remind the ambassador not to get involved in Malaysia’s administrative matters,” he added.
Petaling Street or Chinatown was to be the venue of yet another anti-Chinese rally today but the event was called off at the last minute yesterday, shortly after Umno leader Datuk Jamal Md Yunos was hauled in for questioning by the police.
Jamal, who led a large group of red-shirted protesters during the #Merah169 rally last week, had earlier this week warned that today’s gathering could escalate into a riot if the authorities do nothing to punish Chinatown traders for allegedly selling counterfeits.
The Umno division leader insisted, however, that he is not the person organising the protest. He was arrested yesterday after turning up at the police station to record his statement.
