Nazri endears himself to the people and DAP

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 11:03

By FMT Staff

SHAH ALAM: Amidst the furore over the two racists educators, one sole voice from the Cabinet has won unconditional approval of Selangor state councillor Teresa Kok.

Nazri, who once called renowned pathologist Pornthip Rojanasunand (who recently testified in Selangor political aide Teoh Beng Hock's inquest) a “liar”, has demanded that the government take severe action against the two teachers for their derogatory remarks about non-Malays.

Kok said Nazri’s call to the government not to compromise on the existence and prevalence of such destructive sentiments in the education system were in keeping with Pakatan Rakyat's stand.

Nazri's words rang loud above the incriminating silence from the Cabinet over the actions of two teachers -- one in Kulai, Johor, and another in Bukit Selambau, Kedah -- who made racists remarks about the non-Malay community to students in their respective schools.

1Malaysia concept a washout

Both Kok and Nazri had described the incident as “frightening” and that such statements from headmasters and teachers were detrimental to education and the future of the country.

Slamming Home Minister Hishamuddin Hussein for trivialising the matter by saying it was “just two” educators and that they were “minority” views, Nazri said the issue was not “about the numbers” but the fact that racism cannot and should not exist in the education system.

“What is it with skin colour? Should we protect them because they are Malays? Not at all. What came out of their mouth is what we should be concerned about. When they cross the line, then severe action must be taken,” Nazri reportedly said.

Meanwhile, both Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and his deputy Muhyiddin Yassin remain silent.

Muhyiddin as the education minister has not made his views known. But he has reportedly confessed that Najib’s 1Malaysia concept was a washout.

“Our hope is that Muhyiddin will take a serious stand on the issue… this must not be downplayed or trivialised… it affects the future of the nation,” said Kok.