The keris sorry

General

April 25, 2008 23:22 PM

Hishammuddin Says Sorry For Wielding The Keris

KUALA LUMPUR, April 25 (Bernama) -- Umno Youth Chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein Friday apologised to the Malays and non-Malays for wielding keris two years ago. Hishammuddin said as a responsible party leader, he should apologise if his action in wielding the "Panca Warisan" keris at the Umno Youth general assembly, contributed to the Barisan Nasional (BN)'s losses in five states in the March 8 general election. He said the keris issue was among those being brought up openly at the Barisan Nasional (BN) youth committee meeting to look at the reasons for the BN's dismal performance in the election. "I told them that I'm responsible for what I've done. If it had affected the performance (of the BN), we cannot run away from the reality. "If the issue had affected anyone, I apologise to the non-Malays and the Malays," he told reporters after chairing the three-hour meeting from 3.30pm at the Menara Dato Onn here Friday. Hishammuddin, who is also Education Minister, said the reality of why the keris was wielded had been manipulated by certain quarters. "(I apologise) to the non-Malays for making them feel apprehensive about (the keris) symbol, and to the Malays for not being able to defend our symbol of heritage. (The wielding of the keris) is not what it was made out to be," he said. Hishammuddin however said that as a leader, he would accept the reality if it was true that the keris issue had contributed to the BN's losses. "I'm not an arrogant person who can't accept reality. This is a sad lesson indeed. But if that's how politics goes, we as a leader should be willing to put the party's interest above self-interest," he said. Asked whether that would mean that the Panca Warisan keris no longer had any meaning, Hishammuddin said, it was still very meaningful to him as a Malay but not many had come to its defence. "The keris will not go anywhere," he said, adding that the BN youth chiefs were unanimous in moving forward and concentrate on efforts to regain the people's confidence. He said the BN had proven its ability to administer the country. However, he said, the BN youth accepted the fact that the people wanted changes and had demonstrated that desire in the recent election. He also said that the meeting Friday also agreed that the Sabah BN youth and Sarawak BN youth should be given important roles in the country's mainstream politics although not necessarily in terms of more cabinet posts or higher oil royalty. Met by reporters later, MCA youth chief Datuk Liow Tiong Lai praised Hishammuddin for his bravery in apologising openly in the interest of all races in the country. "Datuk Hishammuddin is brave in re-evaluating (his action) and in apologising if the action had hurt others," he said. -- BERNAMA