KUALA LUMPUR: DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang should state his stand on the "Bugis pirate" issue to clear the air with the public, said Umno treasurer Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak.
Salleh said the people needed to know Lim's stand as his silence could be construed as condoning the recent remarks by his political ally, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on Bugis community.
"His (Lim’s) silence can be construed as agreeing with Dr Mahathir that Bugis people are pirates."
Salleh, who is also Communications and Multimedia Minister, said Barisan Nasional had already made its stand against Dr Mahathir's statement which had insulted Bugis community.
"Pakatan Harapan's stand appears unclear. Therefore, Lim must come out and clarify Pakatan’s stand."
On Thursday, the Sultan of Selangor reportedly rapped Dr Mahathir for his alleged derogatory remarks against Bugis community.
It was reported that Selangor Council of the Royal Court secretary Hanafisah Jais said Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah viewed the Dr Mahathir’s statement with grave concern and disappointment.
Hanafisah had said Dr Mahathir’s statement, delivered at the “Sayangi Malaysia, Hapuskan Kleptokrasi” rally organised by Pakatan in Petaling Jaya on Oct 14, was aimed at inciting hatred, feelings of insult and other negative perceptions against Bugis people by calling them pirates, robbers and criminals.
Salleh said the controversy could lead to another conflict between Malay rulers and Dr Mahathir if the opposition was not careful in handling the issue.
He said there were Malay rulers who were descendants of the Bugis ethnic group.
"The ‘Bugis Pirate’ issue has now been blown up beyond control with the Selangor royal council issuing a statement on the matter.
" If (the opposition) is not careful, the issue will escalate into another conflict between Dr Mahathir and Malay rulers.
“This will be the third, after the previous two clashes when Dr Mahathir was prime minister."