KUALA LUMPUR: Contributions of the various races in building and developing the country ought not be questioned, said MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat.

In a statement in response to racist remarks allegedly made by the Prime Minister's special officer Datuk Nasir Safar, he said the remarks reeked of racism, was highly inconsiderate and "totally unacceptable".

"The statement has hurt the feelings of the non-Malays, in particular the Chinese and Indians, and is totally inconsistent with the 1Malaysia concept espoused by the prime minister.

"The independence of our country was obtained by the three main political parties comprising Umno, MCA and MIC. All of us had fought earnestly for our constitutional rights in the country," he said.

Nasir gained notoriety when he allegedly labelled non-Malays as "pendatang" (immigrants) and reportedly said "Indians came to Malaysia as beggars and the Chinese women came here to sell their bodies".

In his statement today, Ong said: "Each and every race, including the orang asli and the indigenous groups of East Malaysia have contributed greatly to the building and development of Malaysia.

"These historical facts cannot be disputed," said Ong, who wants further action to be taken including the possibility of invoking sedition law because of the damage caused.

He also said racism and bigotry would hamper the government's genuine efforts to develop the economic and social well-being of the country and were obstacles to the government's transformation programme.

"Malaysia belongs to all races including the Malays, Chinese, Indians, Kadazans, Ibans and all other indigenous groups. It does not belong to any particular single race. As at today, almost all Malaysians are born and bred here. No one is an immigrant," said Ong.

MCA NGO Liaison bureau chief Datuk Ti Lian Ker said Nasir should be investigated under the Sedition Act, as his remarks with regard to the citizenship of non-Malays provoked sensitivities and encroached into the Constitutional guarantee of all Malaysian citizens.

"Action should be enforced against anybody irrespective of rank or status in society when they utter racist and seditious remarks, as such penalties will discourage others against pandering to racial slurs," said Ti in his press statement.

He added that the position of special officer to the PM carried a great responsibility and the disposition and behaviour of any aide to the premier was a reflection of the prime minister and his policies.

"Nasir's insults are a disservice towards building bridges in the nation already divided by distrust. He should have accorded recognition to all the multitude races in Malaysia who have contributed towards nation building.

"We are all Malaysians. It does not matter where our ancestors derive their origins from or when they reached the shores of Malaya or Malaysia. What matters most is that we are all Rakyat Malaysia or Malaysian citizens.

"All our rights as Malaysian citizens are enshrined in the Federal Constitution and these rights should be respected irrespective of our ethnic identity," said Ti.

He added if Nasir were so concerned about the flesh trade in Malaysia, perhaps he should also observe the sheer number of illegal foreign workers from Indonesia and other neighbouring nations, who were also participating in the flesh trade.

"He should also be concerned with the activities of human traffickers and the ineffectiveness of the authorities in fighting this social scourge. More efforts and focus should be placed on resolving such phenomenon instead of politicising them," he said.

Gerakan deputy president Datuk Chang Ko Youn demanded that Nasir should apologise to all Malaysians.

"Although he has tendered his resignation, but as a special officer to PM, Nasir should also give a public apology. What he said was irresponsible, divisive, disgusting and ignorant and blatantly going against PM's 1Malaysia spirit," said Chang through his media statement.

He said the remarks had challenged Najib's 1Malaysia spirit and came at a time when the country's unity and racial harmony were being tested to the fullest.

Wanita Gerakan secretary-general Jayanthi Devi Balaguru said: "Hurling allegations of (being in the) 'flesh trade' at fellow Malaysian mothers and wives, and calling fellow Malaysians beggars, with threats of revoking citizenship is not the way a fellow Malaysian speaks."

She added it was shameful of Nasir to have uttered "such horrendous, mean and seditious words against fellow Malaysians".

"It is demeaning to belittle, degrade and humiliate in the name of race and gender," she said.

Gerakan Youth secretary-general Dr Dominic Lau said that instead of emphasising on unity and racial harmony, Nasir has sung a different tune which touches on racial sensitivities. He said Nasir's quick resignation from his post had showed that Najib would not tolerate anyone derailing his 1Malaysia concept.

Selangor executive councillor Teresa Kok said Nasir even had the "gall to spout his racist spiel" in his official capacity at a 1Malaysia seminar. She said his actions made a complete mockery of 1Malaysia and revealed his "utter ignorance for 1Malaysia which his superior had been trying hard to promote".

"To let Nasir off with a resignation letter makes light of the gravity of his offence," Kok said in a statement.

The MIC and MCA Youth wings want Nasir to be arrested under the Internal Security Act (ISA).

MIC Youth deputy chief V Mugilan said it was insufficient for Nasir to resign from his position as aide to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak since his remarks were as dangerous as burning suraus and churches. "We want the Home Ministry to arrest him under ISA," said Mugilan at a press conference at MIC headquarters here today.

MCA Youth strategic planning research bureau chief Neil Foo said "Malaysians do not need statements like these", adding that MCA Youth would lodge a police report against Nasir.

There was also a call from among the Indian NGOs present at today's press conference for Nasir's Datukship to be stripped.