KUANTAN: Kemayan assemblyman Datuk Mohd Fadil Osman (pic) says he was referring to a news article when he uttered the word "pendatang".
Mohd Fadil said he was referring to a news portal article when he interjected during question time at the state assembly sitting Tuesday (April 16).
"The question touched on allocations for Chinese and Tamil vernacular schools. I made the comment based on an article dated Feb 8, 2019, where Prof Teo Kok Seong reportedly said a majority of Chinese school graduates are not fluent in Bahasa Malaysia.
"However, the press quoted me as the one saying words that can become racially charged," he said while debating the motion of thanks on the Pahang Regent's address during the state assembly sitting Wednesday (April 17).
Mohd Fadil said he was told to sit down by the Speaker before he could speak further on the matter as it was not debate time.
"I did not manage to explain. The press should have sought an explanation from me first," he said.
Mohd Fadil's statement had drawn condemnation from Cheka assemblyman Lee Ah Wong, who called on the state assembly to take disciplinary action against Mohd Fadil.
Lee said the use of the "pendatang" word to describe non-Bumiputera Malaysians reflected Mohd Fadil's regressive thoughts.
"His interjection of a DAP assemblyman without following House procedures during Question Time was clearly provocative. What he said has caused anger and hurt the community," Lee said outside the state assembly.
The MCA assemblyman also urged Umno to take action against Mohd Fadil as well as order him to apologise to Malaysians.
"Besides not uttering irresponsible statements that touch on race and religion, he should also show a good example in strengthening the relationship among the races and ensuring that harmony is always protected," he said.
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