Malaysia to punish official for racist remarks

Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (AP)

Published Tuesday, September 09, 2008

By AP

Malaysia’s prime minister says the ruling party will punish a senior official who made racist remarks against the minority Chinese and Indians.

The minorities were stunned by Ahmad Ismail’s recent remarks, which increased racial friction in this multiethnic country and deepened divisions in the embattled National Front ruling coalition.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad says Ahmad’s comments have “stirred anger and restlessness among the people”.

He told reporters on Tuesday that the coalition’s leaders “want swift and firm action to be taken” against Ahmad.

He says the punishment will be decided on Wednesday by a meeting of the United Malays National Organisation, the main component in the National Front to which Ahmad belongs.

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