December 08, 2010 15:33 PM
Parliament: I Did Not Mean To Hurt Feelings Of Other Races - Ahmad Zahid
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 8 (Bernama) -- Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi told the Parliament on Wednesday that he had not meant to hurt the feelings of any race when citing lack of patriotism as a reason for the low presence of non-Malays in Armed Forces.
Ahmad Zahid told Parliament that he did not mean to hurt the feelings of the non-Malays when citing in Parliament on November 9, that non-Malays made up less than 1 per cent of new recruits in the Armed Forces for 2008 and 2009 and that the small number was due to a "low spirit of patriotism".
"I feel it is unfortunate if my answer to the House in November had hurt the feelings of any race," said Ahmad Zahid when offering his clarification after question time this morning when the issue was raised by Ipoh Barat Member of Parliament M. Kulasegaran.
Kulasegaran who urged Zahid to apologize for his statement, said that the reason for the small number of non-Malays was not due to lack of patriotism but due to a lack of information and promotion.
The Defence Minister said he was well aware that history has proven non-Malays, including Chinese, Indians, Ibans, Kadazans, Dayaks, Sikhs and other groups had sacrificed, struggled, fought against the British and communist insurgents for the country's independence.
He also urged leaders of political parties, community leaders, non-governmental organizations and youth organisations to work hand-in-hand and improve the presence of the non-Malays in the Armed Forces so as to achieve the 1Malaysia concept.
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