By Melissa Lee
Chinese leaders from across the political divide have joined the chorus of calls for Perkasa to apologize for giving ‘ang-pows’ in white envelopes at a function that was also severely criticized as demeaning and exploitative of senior citizens.
“Ibrahim Ali and gang are Bozos. They have just given their own game away. They are not at all interested in the Chinese and it is very upsetting that they should target the elderly folk. It is sheer exploitation and a real shame for any group that claims to champion racial rights. Of course, the senior citizens will rush for it because they have very limited income, so do you blame them or Perkasa?” PKR vice president Chua Jui Meng told Malaysia Chronicle.
“Giving ‘ang pow’ in white envelopes during Chinese New Year, which is meant to be a prosperous and joyful festival, shows that Ibrahim Ali is greatly insensitive and insincere,” Gerakan vice- president Mah Siew Keong said in a statement.
Time to learn some manners
To the Chinese, white signifies death and are reserved for funerals, where white candles are lit and contributions to help the bereaved given in white envelopes.
Perkasa chief Ibrahim Ali has till now refused to apologize. Perkasa secretary-general Syed Hassan Syed Ali explained the faux pas was not intentional.
However, the explanation was rejected and further condemned.
“Being a member of parliament and (having been) in politics for so many years, Ibrahim is still so ignorant of the culture of other races, which is why he has kept making a lot of statements without thinking,” said Gerakan’s Mah.
“When they want to attract publicity, they rush to announce their CNY do and invite the press. When they make such a glaring mistake, the obvious thing is to apologize but Ibrahim and Perkasa hide behind the excuse of ignorance. But this is an issue of courtesy and respect. It shows they have no respect for the Chinese and are exactly the boorish racists they have been accused of being. They can’t even get a simple thing right, and they want to expand their political horizons to include other racial groups. My advice to them is to learn some manners first,” slammed Jui Meng. – M Chronicle
Beside getting emotional, look at it clear headedly. If you are given a white packet now and not a red packet, would you take it ? You should just say thank you and refuse the white packet. Look at the photos. The Chineses are taking it. Because whether it is white packet or red packet, the colour is not as important as the money inside. And depending on what sort of Chinese you are and depending on what occasion and not necessarily a bad one, sometimes a white envelope is used to put in the money. Coming back to politics, it could be used to incite hatred among the Chineses or it could be just a pure public relation stupidness which of course would not help the politicians.
Ibrahim Ali is just a ignorant and publicity seeking gutter politician trying to incite racial discord in our peaceful beloved country! Perhaps someone should inform him that by giving white packets signifies his family is mourning or a loss of family members! If knowingly he still persists then he will definitely be enjoying seven years of bad fengshui and predicament of family or his own demise very soon! We shall watch the demise of this pig headed politician soon!