poobalan.com

Gerakan Youth has disassociated itself from the scathing comments issued by the movement’s vice-chief S Paranjothy yesterday.

In a joint statement issued by Gerakan Youth deputy chief Lim Si Pin and party central committee member Kohilan Pillay, the duo said the Youth wing was “shocked” by Paranjothy’s statement.

blamed Umno for inciting racial sentiments among Malaysians for political mileage.

He also criticised the government for “marginalising, oppressing and ignoring” Indian community which resulted in them being “fourth-class citizens”.

Lim and Kohilan hinted that Paranjothy’s statement could have resulted from several Gerakan Youth discussions on the causes and implications of the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) rally on Nov 25.

“(However) the (Youth wing) committee did not discuss about issuing such a statement. We strongly believe in the true spirit of BN in consensus building in resolving problems faced by all Malaysians,” they said.

Lim and Kohilan said issues raised by Paranjothy should be resolved internally or through “consultation” without having to attack others through the media.

Lets move on

On Paranjothy’s criticism of Umno’s acts of racial posturing, Lim and Kohilan said Gerakan Youth was fully committed BN Youth chairperson, and Umno Youth chief, Hishammuddin Hussien’s advice to let the past lie.

“It is not constructive to criticise again at this moment, utterances and actions of the past which has admittedly hurt the feelings of one another,” they added.

On Paranjothy’s comments regarding the plight of the Indian community, Lim and Kohilan said the best way to overcome such problems was through “consultation and working on concrete solutions” without having to point fingers through the media.

“Gerakan Youth wants to reiterate that we understand and symphatise with the grievances of segments of the Malaysian Indian community especially those from the lower income groups about their adverse economic and social situations,” added Lim and Kohilan.

) and Kohilan said the Indian community’s problems were a national problem and required the attention and actions of the government.

They added that the duo were responding to Paranjothy’s statement as Gerakan Youth chief Mah Siew Keong was presently overseas.