Kuala Lumpur, February 03: An aide to Malaysia’s prime minister plans to resign after allegedly calling ethnic Indian and Chinese citizens “immigrants” in an embarrassment for the government’s faltering campaign to promote harmony in this multiracial country.
The prime minister’s office made the announcement in a statement received today, saying that aide Nasir Safar’s alleged remarks did not “in any way reflect the views of the prime minister.”
“Nasir never intended to make any derogatory remarks,’ the statement said. “Nevertheless … Nasir apologizes for any offense caused.”
According to local news reports, Nasir said during a speech in southern Malacca state yesterday that Indians and Chinese were “immigrants,” and that the government would revoke Indians’ citizenship if they demanded equal rights.
Nasir could not immediately be reached for comment.
Most Indians and Chinese, who form about 40 percent of Malaysia’s 27 million people, have lived here for several generations.
–PTI