Pengguna perihatin

I do not understand why some people are shocked and dismayed by what Badruddin Amiruldin said at the recently concluded Umno election. It is not something unusual.

In fact, rubbing non-Malay Barisan Nasional supporters' noses in the mud after an election by some Umno stalwarts is so popular that it is almost a post-election tradition.

I had expected worse with Umno wallowing in the hubris of their recent resounding victory in the general election. What had happened is the mildest nose rubbing in years. No bigwig was involved except for a wannabe.

If you are a supporter of the opposition than Badruddin's antic was to be expected. However, if you are a BN supporter then there is no reason to gripe. You put people like Badruddin where he is. So why do you fret?

We could have elected a decent man. Instead, many chose to support the election machinery that got Badruddin elected as the member parliament for the Jerai constituency. More than 22 percent of the electorate of that constituency are non-Malay. The other candidate was from PAS.

Appealing for a better sense of decency from this man or the organisation he represents will be fruitless. He is evidently useful to them. That is why he has got this far being what he is. He is now Umno's deputy chairman. Not bad for a man whose obvious talent is in making crass, crude remarks.

Will he change his ways because some non-Malay BN supporters have had their sensitivities bruised? Not likely if past performance is any guide.

If published reports are to be believed, these are some of the remarks that have been attributed to him during a parliamentary debate on the Supply Bill 1999 on Oct 23, 1999 when he heckled Karpal Singh with offensive and derogatory remarks.

‘Hai Bai, duduklah.’

‘Take care of your backside.’

‘Ini bai murtad.’

‘Bai, lu main punggungkah?’

‘Bai, jaga belakanglah.’

‘Hai, bai tiga silinder.’

And in a recent parliamentary debate, in response to PAS' Abdul Fatah Harun's observation that increase in cigarette taxes and prices did not decrease the number of smokers, the indomitable Badruddin shot back a quick ripotse: ‘Muslimat (PAS’ women wing) also smoke cheroot’.

So if you detest bigots and sexists then do not support the organisation that tolerates such individuals. Some of us do not and we have no cause to whine.

http://www3.malaysiakini.com/letters/30580