Ti: Mistakes happen, don’t stir up hate

This photo illustration taken on February 16, 2018 shows a man looking at a full-page Lunar New Year advertisement in Kuala Lumpur showing a rooster. Malaysia has apologised after a government ad in Chinese-language newspapers featuring a picture of a barking rooster to mark the Year of the Dog sparked a flood of mockery. / AFP PHOTO / Samuel REEVES.

PETALING JAYA: Parties with vested interests should not stir up hate and anger over mere mistakes, says Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker.

The MCA Religious Harmony Bureau chairman said that many were trying to incite anger among the Chinese community over errors by Petronas as well as the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry.

Petronas had featured a light-coloured background for its ang pow packets, while the ministry had placed an advertisement with the wrong zodiac animal in its Chinese New Year wishes.

In a statement Saturday, Ti said the Opposition was trying to stir up racial animosity over these human errors.

“All these (mistakes) are hyped up by DAP and Pakatan (Harapan) to paint a picture of disunity and in particular to make the Chinese angry," he said.

Ti said that the issue was even highlighted by Hong Kong-based newspaper the South China Morning Post.

In a statement, Petronas clarified that its ang pow packet showcased a Chinese ink painting from its art collection, which depicts the welcoming of a new dawn and hopes for the new year.

“The light coloured background, however, has been mistaken for white, which in Chinese culture is considered inauspicious.

“It was never our intention to overlook any cultural sensitivities,” the national oil and gas company said in a statement.

The ministry has also apologised for using a rooster instead of a dog in its Chinese New year wishes for the Year of the Dog, attributing it to a technical error.

“We apologise a million times for this advertisement having been published,” it said.

“After the apology, the error was forgotten and there was no major upset among the Chinese community as the Chinese are a pragmatic lot and easygoing,” Ti said.

He claimed that DAP was stirring up racial issues to create “hate, resentment and anger”.

“We value our unity and harmony and certainly do not want to create any racial tensions over the slightest of issues,” he said.

Ti added that Malaysians have a big heart and loved its unity in diversity.

“It’s time to move on and look at the bigger picture and work together towards achieving greater things,” he said.