Why has police not lodged report against racist Rizal who warned that a repeat of the racial clash in Kampung Rawa might erupt?

Update Chamber of commerce at odds with national body over Lim meeting

Written by Regina William

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Malay Chamber of Commerce (DPMPP) has accused the Malay Chamber of Commerce Malaysia (MCCM) of seeking "cheap publicity" and playing politics by meeting Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng behind its back.

DPMPP President Rizal Faris Mohideen expressed his regret and disappointment that his national leadership met up with Lim yesterday night for a dialogue on the ongoing flare-up between the DPMPP and Lim's administration.

At a press conference, Rizal said he has written a strongly worded letter to the headquarters and to the president and distanced himself from national secretary-general Datuk Abdul Rahim Abu Bakar who, along with national deputy president Datuk Muhammad Muhiyuddin Abdullah, met Lim.

The MCCM delegation that met with Lim was headed by Muhammad Muhiyuddin. Also present at the meeting were Malacca Malay Chamber chairman Datuk Md Ramly Mohamad, and Terengganu Malay Chamber deputy president A Razak Yaakup. Abdul Rahim was there in two capacities; as MCCM secretary-general and acting-president of the Pahang Malay Chamber.

"I did not mince my words against their action to meet Lim to try to 'resolve' the issue. Abdul Rahim has never called on nor stepped foot in Penang to check out what is actually happening here or the situation of the Malays in Penang. I am convinced he is seeking cheap publicity for himself and playing politics. This is neither the time nor place to do that," Rizal added.

Rizal, who called Lim a liar, dictator, political reject and hypocrite among other names, vowed to fight Lim to the end for discriminating against Malays.

"The demonstration last Friday was just a small step and we will mobilise other NGOs at the national level to end his tyranny and violence against Malays in Penang. We won't let them come into our homes and molest our wives and children and we will fight back. If we do not nip this parasite in the bud, he will worsen.

"I will fight this liar who is hiding behind a skirt. He is not good for Penang and should relinquish his position to a Penangite who would do a better job than him," a visibly upset Rizal said.

Maintaining that he was not being racist, Rizal said he was fighting for all races in Penang and warned that a repeat of the racial clash in Kampung Rawa more than a decade ago might erupt if people were unhappy.

"We do not want another Kampung Rawa incident in Penang and I fear for my Chinese and Indian friends if that were to happen. Two years after taking over and despite repeated calls from us, he has turned a deaf ear to the plight of Malays in the state.

"Where is his action plan? How can you carry out enforcement without coming up with any plan to resolve the issue?" he added.

He accused Lim of not providing accurate data and provided statistics on hawker and market stalls on the island, most of which were dominated by Chinese.

Rizal said according to statistics up to Sept 30, 2009 from the Penang Island Municipal Council, of 55 hawker centres on the island, 78% of stallholders were Chinese hawkers, 18% Malays and 4% Indians.

At the markets on the island, 76% of stallholders were Chinese, 18% Malays and 6% Indians.

While he did not dispute the figures given by Lim, Rizal said Lim did not fully disclose all the statistics including the confiscation of goods from hawkers without licences.

In 2008, goods were confiscated from 132 Malays, 110 Chinese and 17 Indians while in 2009, action was taken against 152 Malays, 84 Chinese and 17 Indians.

Rizal said while illegal Chinese hawkers who caused massive traffic congestion in several areas were let off, Malay traders at the Penang Bazaar and Batu Ferringhi were targeted.

(Source: THE EDGE)