Kula apologises for remarks on Hindus, Malays

Updated 5 years ago · Published on 30 Jul 2018 9:15AM · 9 Comments

HUMAN Resources Minister M. Kula Segaran has apologised “unreservedly” for causing hurt with his remarks about the history of Indians and Malays in a speech last week.

“Words are so chameleon-like they often take on different meanings in different languages like that I spoke of in Tamil.

“To halt that drift in the matter of my remarks at a function in Nilai last week, I have decided to apologise and to withdraw them to prevent the controversy from worsening.

“I am sorry for any hurt I may have caused,” he said in a statement today.

His apology comes after he accused Utusan Malaysia of twisting his works in its report on the speech to create racial provocation.

In his speech at a Hindu temple, Kula Segaran touched on the long history of Indians and the Hindu religion on Malay soil and had used the word “pendatang” (immigrant).

Utusan reported him as saying that Malays were the foreigners in this country and that the true natives were those who practised Hinduism.

“These remarks have been misconstrued to suggest I have used the word ‘pendatang’ with reference to people who would resent its application to them.

“I hereby unreservedly apologise for the hurt I may have caused and withdraw the offensive references in that extemporaneous speech,” said the Ipoh Barat MP and DAP national vice-chairman.

He added that he would always abide by the federal constitution which protects the special position of the Malays.

“I am not and have never been a controversialist on issues of race and religion in our country.”

Penang Umno Youth will lodge a police report against the minister and call for an investigation into his remarks. – July 30, 2018.  

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Comments

  • All these Indian turned Mamak Keling or MAMAKS like Reezal Merican are bustards.

    Posted 5 years ago by James Antho · Reply

  • Kula, why shoot yourself in the foot? You know the opposition will twist and manipulate your statement be it the truth or other wise. Surely as a season politician watch what you say. Or you want to look like a hero? Then prepared to be slaughtered.

    Posted 5 years ago by Justin Leno · Reply

  • Special rights should be accorded to all Malaysians. That is the way to build a nation bigger and stronger. There is no need to selectively protect only a particular group but to protect the all citizens as a whole like brothers and sisters in a family. This is a more noble idea than any narrow minded one.

    Posted 5 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • We are in the process of building a new Malaysia Baru. Let's have rhetoric speeches about race and religion.

    Posted 5 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

    • Correction We are in the process of building a new Malaysia Baru. Let's have less rhetoric speeches about race and religion

      Posted 5 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • Just stick to your legitimate work as a govt official, & things will be ok..

    Posted 5 years ago by MELVILLE JAYATHISSA · Reply

  • Just stick to your legitimate work as a govt official, & things will be ok. NO NEED TO GIVE LONG SPEECHES. People will be grateful indeed..

    Posted 5 years ago by MELVILLE JAYATHISSA · Reply