KUALA LUMPUR – Government backbenchers were emotionally charged in the Dewan Rakyat today as they traded barbs over an opposition lawmaker’s suggestion that local Chinese new villages were “historically” linked with the communist agenda.
Tensions first started to rise when PAS’ Datuk Seri Ismail Abd Muttalib (Maran-PN) claimed that plans to nominate Chinese new villages in Selangor as a Unesco World Heritage Site would be tantamount to the government acknowledging the “communist fight”.
“What is the rationale behind Local Government Development Minister Nga Kor Ming’s (Teluk Intan-PH) suggestion to propose Chinese new villages as a Unesco World Heritage Site?” Ismail questioned in his parliamentary debate on the royal address.
“Does everyone know that the formation of Chinese new villages is the result of the communist fight and action to disturb our nation? That was the main reason (for the setting up of Chinese new villages).
“If we make Chinese new villages as a heritage site, that means that the minister agrees that the (communist) fight, which was a black spot on our nation’s history, (should be) recognised,” the former Umno man added.
Ismail’s remarks incited uproar from government backbenchers, namely DAP’s Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham (Beruas-PH) and R.S.N. Rayer (Jelutong-PH), who both insisted that the PAS lawmaker should be made to retract his statement.
Rayer, in particular, cited Standing Order 39(10)(c) on how it is out of order for MPs to use words which are likely to promote feelings of ill-will or hostility between different communities, urging Deputy Dewan Rakyat Speaker Alice Lau Kiong Yieng (Lanang-PH) to issue a directive towards Ismail.
“What is the relation between Chinese new villages and communists? His (Ismail’s) statement has hurt the feelings (of Chinese people) and (encourages) enmity between other races. Why is he saying this?” Rayer questioned.
In response, Ismail said he was merely referring to the history behind Chinese new villages, claiming that the settlements were a way to “neutralise communist matters”.
His defence, however, failed to placate Ngeh, who said Chinese people were victims during the communist insurgency in Malaya, saying: “The homes of the Chinese were destroyed and they were locked up in (the new villages) without toilets.”
“Don’t try to twist history! The British forcefully locked up the Chinese who were made to migrate against their will!” Ngeh was heard saying amid Rayer’s repeated calls for Ismail to retract his statement.
As Lau instructed Ismail to explain his statement, he stood by his stance that he was simply referencing history, saying: “When the suggestion (to form Chinese new villages) was put forth, the British moved the Chinese there because they (Chinese people) were influenced by communism.
“I didn’t say that all Chinese people are communists. It was just to prevent Chinese people from being influenced by communism. Even those in the Malay new villages were influenced (by communism),” Ismail said before he was cut off by more objections from Ngeh and Rayer.
Mohd Sany Hamzan (Hulu Langat-PH) then jumped in on the exchange by shouting at Ismail to retract his statement, causing Bersatu Youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal (Machang-PN) to also interject and voice his opinion on the matter.
“The education minister is right here, ask her to change our history syllabus (in schools),” Wan Fayhsal said sarcastically in an attempt to back up Ismail’s “historical citations”.
This then triggered Sany into persistently questioning Wan Fayhsal on why Perikatan Nasional (PN) had not done so when the coalition was part of the government.
While the shouting match resulted in the microphones for all MPs being switched off, several figures were still heard yelling at each other as an apparently exasperated Lau oversaw the tumultuous proceedings before ordering Ismail to retract his claim referencing the Chinese community.
“(Lau), be rational. This is history. The Malay new villages also had communist influence, but I’m not sensitive about it.
“I’m just telling the history of new villages, I don’t want us to acknowledge (communism) when we’re listed under Unesco,” Ismail insisted in response to Lau’s order.
Wan Fayhsal then made a reappearance, saying: “When (second prime minister) Tun Abdul Razak Hussein went to Beijing, one of the first matters normalised between Malaysia and Beijing was (for the latter) to not interfere in Malaysia’s plan to rid communism.
“This shows that there was indeed Chinese influence in communism. Not all (Chinese people were involved in communism), but this is a fact,” he added, to which Ismail said the comment is to be included in his debate.
Another heated shouting session ensued, leading to microphones in the lower House being muted once again. Upon being unmuted, Rayer and Ismail again verbally attacked each other before they were once more silenced by Lau.
PAS’ Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (Kubang Kerian-PN) then suggested that MPs refer to Wikipedia to check Ismail’s claims, claiming that the volunteer-based online encyclopaedia would support his fellow PN lawmaker’s assertions.
The recommendation did not sit well with Rayer, who continued to shout at Ismail even after his microphone was turned off by the deputy speaker.
Upon insistence by Lau that he retract his statement, Ismail said: “If it’s a historical fact, then I will not take it back. But, if I said anything offensive, then I’ll look at the Hansard.
“I’m sorry, I take back my statement. Are you (Lau) satisfied? Or do you want to throw away all these historical facts?” he questioned before Lau accepted his retraction.
While he attempted to continue his debate, Lau pointed out that his allocated time had run out.
Previously, Nga said that any accusations claiming his ministry is challenging the interests of Malays and Bumiputeras in the country are nonsensical as plans to nominate Chinese new villages in Selangor as Unesco World Heritage Sites were merely at the nomination stage.
“I welcome the suggestions from various parties to nominate a Malay village, or any historic location with potential, as Unesco heritage sites,” the minister said in a statement on February 8.
Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari had also said the proposal should not be turned into a racial issue as doing so would not be beneficial to the harmony of society in a multiracial country. – March 5, 2024