PM stops short of accepting LKY's apology
R. Manirajan and Husna Yusop - Sun
 

PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has taken note of the letter of explanation from Singapore Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, but stopped short of accepting his apology.

"I understand the content of the letter and I've taken note of it. But I feel that the statement that Lee Kuan Yew made in Singapore was uncalled for and not appreciated, regardless of his reasons," he said.

"I certainly don't agree. I certainly reject the premise upon which he made the statement. I believe it is not good, especially for neighbourly relations."

Abdullah said this when asked by reporters whether he accepted Lee's apology or was closing the matter.

The prime minister had earlier chaired a meeting of ulama on current issues in his office here today (Oct 3, 2006).

He said Lee's statement incited the feelings of Malaysians and all races, irrespective of what he said.

Lee's apology was contained in a long letter that he delivered yesterday to Abdullah in response to the latter's request for an explanation of what Lee had said in Singapore.

Lee ruffled feathers here when he said Malaysia and Indonesia had "systematically marginalised" the Chinese.

"I am sorry that what I said has caused you a great deal of discomfort. After a decade of troubled relations with your predecessor, it is the last thing I wanted," Lee had said in his letter.

In his letter, Lee also included an annex of a dozen news reports which quoted some Malaysian politicians and leaders, including former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, accusing Singapore of marginalising Malays in the island republic.

Abdullah refused to take any further questions on Lee and debate about it.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak when asked to comment on Lee's reply, said he will only respond tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Barisan National (BN) Youth chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said the movement believes Lee had no other choice but to apologise since his remark had created a strong reaction from all walks of society in Malaysia.

He said it must not have been easy for Lee to apologise but for him to have done that, is credit to the unity and strength within BN.

"When our dignity and integrity as an independent Malaysian nation is challenged or disputed, we do not allow outsiders to exploit it. This is our internal affairs, it is not for outsiders to meddle with it.

"When all BN leaders stood up and defended our dignity, I believe, this has more or less made him realise he has no other choice but to apologise. This is the strength and advantage that we have in BN," he said.

On whether he thinks Lee's apology was sincere, Hishammuddin said youth leaders took it with reservation as the senior minister is one who is wise and experienced.

"Whether he is sincere or not, you really need to look at his track record. But what he said has been said and gone down to the ground. With credit to Lee, he does not say things without thinking."

"So, for what it is worth, the youth will take the apology with reservations because coming from somebody very wise and experienced, I find it very strange he made that statement in the first place," he added.

Asked about Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's statement that Malays in Singapore are marginalised, Hishammuddin said he would not "go down that route".

"If anybody were to be very hurt, it would be me as the Education Minister when he had actually closed all Chinese schools in Singapore. But I don't take it to heart because of his apology, so I don't see why the others should."

MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting said the country should move on and stop discussing Lee's statement.

He said the relationship of the two countries should be normalised and working together under a win-win situation for the benefit of the people.

He said since the PM had commented and given his stand on behalf of the Malaysian government, MCA should not make another separate statement.

Ong said the MCA will continue to reflect the Chinese community's point of view on various economic challenges in the country.