Oct 6, 2006

Khairy urged to prove sincerity

(The Star) PETALING JAYA: The MCA Youth has urged Khairy Jamaluddin to prove he has no intentions of hurting the feelings of the Chinese community.

MCA Youth chief Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said Khairy, who is the Umno Youth deputy chief, should also ensure he did not repeat remarks that would offend the community.

“We will continue to observe and will explain to the grassroots and listen to their views,” he told a press conference after launching the 8th Yamaha Balik Kampung Safety Campaign here yesterday.


If the grassroots were still dissatisfied with the explanation on Khairy’s statement, he said, the movement could always raise it at the Barisan Nasional Youth meeting.

“Problems cannot be solved in a single meeting. We need more time, sincerity and action to show that the statement of a particular person has been misconstrued before the truth can be revealed,” he said.

Several Barisan parties criticised Khairy for his remarks in August that non-Malay parties would take advantage of a weak Umno.

Liow said no one should be allowed to jeopardise racial harmony.

On whether he agreed that Khairy’s statement had been misinterpreted by the media, Liow said Khairy should straighten things out with the media himself.

He said the MCA Youth would work with other parties within the Barisan Youth movement to boost unity.

He said he had clearly voiced the views of the MCA's youth central delegates and the gravity of the matter.

“We have told him (Khairy) that his speeches had hurt the feelings of the Chinese and he (Khairy) told us that he never intended to do so.

On how Khairy should prove his sincerity, Liow said: “We will see.”

Earlier at the launch of the road safety campaign, Liow said he hoped the campaign, which provided a scientific explanation of dangerous situations, blind spots, the right way of wearing the helmet and using brakes, would educate and change the attitude of motorcyclists.

The campaign is jointly organised by the Malaysian Motorcycle and Scooter Dealers Association, Youth and Sports Ministry, Road Safety Department, Hong Leong Yamaha Motor, Litrak, P&O Insurance and KHI Helmet.

Starting yesterday, technicians from Hong Leong Yamaha Motor would be offering a free 15-point safety check for motorcycles at over six locations along highways in Ipoh, Penang, Johor, Malacca, Pahang and here.

Liow said the total number of accidents nationwide from January to August last year was 214,000, and it had risen to 222,000 this year.

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