PUTRAJAYA: Bukit Bendera Umnodivision chief Datuk Ahmad Ismail should apologise for calling the Chinese pendatang (immigrants).

Party president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the need for an apology was the general feeling of the people.

“He should say that it was not his intention to belittle them. To the non-Malays, please remember that his statement has nothing to do with Umno’s policies or the Barisan Nasional’s. His statement does not represent Umno members or the party.

“This is because Umno practises consensus and cooperation with other parties that represent other races in this country and we will continue to hold firmly to this principle,” Abdullah, who is prime minister, said at a press conference after chairing the National Financial Council meeting at the Ministry of Finance yesterday.

Present were Finance Minister II Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop, menteris besar and chief ministers.

The BN chairman said mistakes were bound to be made in an organisation as big as Umno but they should be rectified quickly.

He said Ahmad had explained that he was relating a story about the immigration of the non-Malays before independence when he made the statement during a ceramah in the Permatang Pauh byelection.

“That was what he said but I am still trying to get in touch with him. The feeling on the ground is that he should apolog ise.” Ahmad’s statement had caused an uproar, with condemnation coming from politi - cal parties.

Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Najib Razak apologised for the statement on Tuesday, saying the remarks were totally unwarranted and did not reflect the position and attitude of Umno or the leadership of the party.

However, various political party leaders still want Ahmad to make a personal apology.

MCA vice-president Datuk Ong Tee Keat, while welcoming the apology by Najib, had said Ahmad should apologise.

Penang Gerakan Youth committee member Dr Thor Teong Gee said he failed to understand why Najib had to make the apology.

Penang MCA deputy chairman Lau Chiek Tuan said Umno leaders should take disciplinary action against Ahmad.

Abdullah did notwant to say whether disciplinary action would be taken against Ahmad.

“God willing, we will reach him. When I go to Penang, surely I will ask him.”