Another Racial Issue Taken Place At PKNS. Malaysiakini

Another Studip incident happen in between some of the people in the state of Selangor. This is how the former Barisan Nasional component party lost their election during March 08, 2008. If this issue still taken place, I think we might as well migarate to the US and have a chance to elect the next US President - Barack Obama who has no problem with the racial problem.

Read this news that appear in The Star Online.

WHAT’S the fuss all about? Why would a routine temporary appointment stir up so much rhetoric among politicians and NGOs? A storm of protest has erupted ever since Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim announced that veteran corporate executive Low Siew Moi would be appointed acting general manager of the Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS).

Khalid had earlier said that Low’s appointment would be a temporary arrangement until a suitable candidate was found to head the PKNS. But, his choice of Low has not gone down well with certain quarters. On Tuesday, the Selangor Malays Residents Action Body held a protest against the appointment outside the state secretariat building in Shah Alam.

According to Shah Alam Umno information chief Mohd Azhar Othman, the appointment is against the main aim and policies behind the setting up of the corporation and marks the first time it would be led by a non-bumiputra. It is certainly and surely sad that after 51 years of independence, there are still people, including so-called leaders, who cannot look beyond the racial lines.

Azhar’s statement is only partially correct – the PKNS was set up in 1964 and has been headed by a Malay general manager ever since. But, is the appointment of a non-Malay contrary to the aims and policies of the corporation?

Or ultra vires the Federal Constitution? Or in violation of the special rights of the Malays? Or even an insult to the Sultan, as suggested by one NGO leader? I don’t think so and, I am sure, many right and fair-minded fellow citizens of all races will agree with me.

Low is eminently qualified to take the reins at the PKNS, having served the corporation for over 33 years, including holding the post of deputy general manager (corporate development) for the past 11 years. It is learnt that Low will only serve as the acting general manager until a right candidate has been identified.

Selangor state executive councillor Ronnie Liu has confirmed that the Pakatan Rakyat component parties, including PAS, had given their full backing to the Mentri Besar on his decision to appoint Low. The DAP and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) have publicly endorsed the appointment while PAS has not objected to it.

“PAS has only requested for preference to be given to candidates the party feels are suitable to lead the organisation,” Liu told StarMetro. Otherwise, Liu said, the state government had no plan to reconsider its decision on Low’s appointment.

He said Low, who was due for retirement soon, had been appointed in an acting capacity to hold the fort pending a permanent appointment later.

“So, we don’t understand why people are trying to make an issue of this,” he said. The real issue, however, is not Low’s appointment but the very sad and disappointing racial overtone of the whole matter. When are we ready to come of age and accept each other without the consideration of colour, creed, culture and class?