PKR Senator Bob Manolan has apologised to Orang Asli village chiefs in Cameron Highlands for his remarks that they should support Pakatan Harapan or lose their posts and salaries.
He did not deny making those remarks, but admitted they could be misconstrued as a threat.
“I admit saying that tok batin who do not support the PH government should not be paid was an extreme statement. It has caused confusion and can be considered a threat.
“I apologise in my personal capacity to all tok batin and to any party offended by my statement.
“I have not the slightest intention of offending anyone’s feelings, what more to threaten them,” Manolan said in a statement today.
Manolan has been under fire since Friday, a day before nominations for the Cameron Highlands by-election, over his remarks at a dialogue session with Orang Asli village chiefs in Pos Betau.
He initially claimed he was misquoted in a news report that he had threatened the village chiefs by saying “no support, we get rid (of them) (tak sokong, kita buang),” and “any batin who doesn’t support the government, we won’t pay their salary”.
News portal Malaysiakini then uploaded an audio recording of his speech, in which he is heard saying the words.
Manolan, who is an Orang Asli himself, today said that he stood by the principle that village chiefs should support the government of the day by helping execute policies that benefit the community.
He said this was what he had wanted to emphasise to the tok batin at the dialogue with them.
“If my entire speech is taken into consideration, I spent more time emphasising how important it is that village chiefs execute the government’s policies for the Orang Asli.
“I am aware my statement has not only hurt the feelings of Tok Batin but has also made PH leaders uncomfortable because the PH government has principles.
“I express my regret for my remarks which can be construed as a threat to the village chiefs.
“I still hold to the principle that all village chiefs must support the government in its efforts to improve the life of the people,” he said.
His remarks have put PH on the defensive in recent days during by-election campaigning, as various Barisan Nasional leaders took the coalition to task.
PKR president Anwar Ibrahim has said Manolan should explain himself and that coercion had no place in a democracy, while DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng has said Manolan’s remarks did not reflect the government’s stand. – January 14, 2019.
History, propaganda are no bedfellows
Penang Institute wants to draw locals back to lit fest
Honouring the spirit of Malaysia 1963
Umno bukan lagi pemain politik negara, kata penganalisis
Comments
Posted 7 years ago by Justin Leno · Reply
DSAI please show people what you say you are... reprimand this man, who calls himself a senator. What a disgrace!
Posted 7 years ago by Kampung Boy · Reply
1. The contents of the sentence itself sounds like a threat
2. The tone in which the sentence is delivered obviously cannot be harmonious in nature! The tone too then would obviously sound like a threat..
Readers, please debate and recommend that this man, who calls himself a senator, should be reprimanded by the PKR Council.
Posted 7 years ago by Kampung Boy · Reply
Posted 7 years ago by Danial Abdullah · Reply