Not necessary to commemorate riots – PM

PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said yesterday it was unnecessary to commemorate the racial riots of May 13.

“We should regard it as an event in the annals of history from which we can learn from … as a demarcation for us so that it will not recur,” he said.

Najib spoke to reporters after a video conference with members of the Malaysian community and students in six countries in conjunction with Aidiladha at the prime minister’s official residence Seri Perdana.

Also present at the session were Najib’s wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor and Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.

Najib was asked to comment on a proposal in the ‘Cuit’ column of the Utusan Malaysia daily for May 13 to be commemorated, similar to the racial riots of 21 July 1964 in Singapore which the republic observes as Racial Harmony Day.

Columnist Zaini Hassan had made the suggestion after Penang opposition leader Datuk Azhar Ibrahim was suspended on Nov 1 for six months for having allegedly made ‘May 13’ threats in the state assembly sitting.

Although the proposal was objected to by the opposition pact which lodged a police report claiming that it was seditious in nature, many quarters have expressed support saying it was a positive move to strengthen unity.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had said the government was prepared to consider the proposal to commemorate the May 13 incident, but added that the government had yet to receive any proposal or give it any thought.

Najib, when asked about the changes to be made to the Umno leadership, said he would look into the matter as he had been preoccupied with nursing himself back to health after being afflicted with chicken pox.

“I am thinking about it … I was indisposed for two weeks due to illness (chicken pox). I am back to work now, and will look into it,” he said. — Bernama