DAP: Disclose rationale for picking Khairul as senator
Teresa Kok says Khairul’s ‘racist’ remarks at Umno Youth gathering had invited criticisms from all quarters.
PETALING JAYA: The government has been asked to divulge its criteria for the selection of senators, following the appointment of six Umno leaders, including Umno Youth vice-chief Khairul Azwan Harun, to the Dewan Negara.
DAP vice-chairperson Teresa Kok, in a statement today, said it was illogical and unacceptable for the government to appoint Khairul as a senator after his allegedly “racist” speech at the Umno Youth gathering during the party’s general assembly.
“Khairul’s statements have invited criticisms from all quarters, including leaders of the component parties of BN.
“One wonders if this is the reward given to Khairul for stoking racial fires in the Umno Youth?”
On Nov 30, during the gathering, Khairul, warned the Chinese of a possible backlash should they continue to reject BN.
He said continued support for the “anti-Muslim” DAP could see Umno and other Bumiputera-based parties emerge victors in the next general election to subsequently form the bulk of the government.
He said the government may then likely give less attention to Chinese vernacular schools, for example, or there may be a demand to abolish Chinese schools completely.
In many democratic countries in the world, said Kok, a senator had a higher status than an MP.
In Malaysia, the senate, or Dewan Negara, is supposed to review the laws that have been passed by the lower house, before they are sent to the King for royal assent.
Kok said the Dewan Negara was meant to act as a check on the Dewan Rakyat and represent the interests of the various states.
“As the senate is an important institution in the democratic system of Malaysia, I urge the government to make known the criteria for the appointment of senators.
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“The rakyat should also be told whether the BN government and the prime minister have dropped the slogan of 1Malaysia and changed its direction to allow racism to grow in the country.”