Shafie apologises to Chinese community on remarks
Published on: Thursday, November 17, 2022
"I am sorry … I did not mean to insult (the Chinese community). I’ve been consistent in fighting for all races irrespective of whether they are Chinese, Indian, Iban, Murut, kadazan and other races," Shafie said.
Tenom: Parti Warisan President Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal has apologised to the Chinese community for using a term that carries the connotation of an animal.“I am sorry, I was a bit emotional,” Shafie said during a campaign in Kemabong here.
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Shafie had on several occasions during his campaign trail lambasted the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), saying that “satu ekor cina pun tiada jadi menteri” (there is no Chinese become minister in GRS) despite being a coalition of parties.
“Ekor” is a Malay word used for animals, which is deemed as a racist and an offensive remark to use on anyone.
“I am sorry … I did not mean to insult (the Chinese community). I’ve been consistent in fighting for all races irrespective of whether they are Chinese, Indian, Iban, Murut, kadazan and other races.
We are here to serve the country and the people and we are not trying to demonise and demoralise anyone.
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“I apologise to everyone and as a human being and a leader of the country, I have no ill-intention to hurt anyone feelings,” said Shafie.
He said he was only making a point that there was not even one Chinese minister in the GRS-Barisan state Cabinet compared to the state government led by Warisan previously when it had four Chinese ministers.
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Shafie was campaigning for Warisan’s Ukim Buandi who is in a five-way fight for the Tenom seat.
A 21-second video clip has been making the rounds in social media alleging Shafie had insulted the Chinese community.
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