By Adib Zalkapli
GEORGE TOWN Sept 5 - All 13 Umno divisions in Penang have backed Bukit Bendera Umno division chief Datuk Ahmad Ismail's decision not to apologise for calling the Chinese in Malaysia immigrants during the recent Permatang Pauh by-election campaign.
The decision to back Ahmad was made at an informal meeting of Penang Umno division heads late last night.
Umno president and head of Penang Umno Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi did not attend the meeting.
Speaking to reporters here today, Ahmad also threw down a challenge: "If the Chinese can question the special rights of the Malays, the Malays can also question the citizenship of the Chinese."
He said that the Chinese who questioned the special rights of the Malays had breached the social contract.
"The Malays were willing to give others citizenship before independence," added Ahmad who came escorted by dozens of his supporters.
Ahmad explained that during a Barisan Nasional rally at Kampung Pelet, near Bukit Mertajam on Aug 23, also attended by Umno deputy president, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, he was merely telling the largely Malay-Muslim audience the nation's history.
"When Malaya was under the British rule, they brought in Chinese and Indians to work in tin mines and rubber plantations," said Ahmad.
"The British built more schools at the mines and this unfairness led to the Chinese being more educated, although this is Tanah Melayu," he added referring to the Malay name of British Malaya.
"The Chinese were indeed squatters at that time," said Ahmad.
"I will not apologise. This is an undisputed political history," he added.
At the press conference which lasted for more than an hour, Ahmad also blamed the Chinese media for playing up the issue.
"It was the reporter who twisted my words, who should apologise to every Malay and Muslim for inciting racial hatred," added Ahmad.
He also asked acting president of Gerakan Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon and other Chinese leaders to apologise for being "immature."
"Tsu Koon got carried away and made immature statements, he should have asked for my explanation," said Ahmad.
He also warned other Malay leaders not to hurt the Malays. "The Malay Umno leaders also must not rush to appease the others and in turn hurt the Malays, do not let the Malays run away and go against us," said Ahmad.
His latest outburst and the decision of Penang Umno to support him could raise racial tensions.
The latest development is also a major embarrassment for Umno's national leadership.
Reacting to demands from Chinese political parties and organisations, Najib had apologised on behalf of Ahmad.
Abdullah also said this week that Ahmad did not represent the view of Umno.
On Abdullah's call for him to apologise, Ahmad said: "I respect him, and as the BN chairman, of course he has to appease other component parties. I love Pak Lah and I support him, but on certain things I have to stick to my principles."
When asked whether the decision by the division heads to back him had been conveyed to Abdullah, Ahmad said he is sure the Prime Minister is aware of it.
"But I will still report it to him tomorrow," he added, referring to tomorrow's state Umno meeting.
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