Does the Church Stand for Christ Love Today?

I rejoiced upon hearing that Barack Obama was declared President-elect of the United States of America on 5 November 2008. Immediately, I posted a statement on YTL Community entitled: HIS story has been made! GOD, America and Barack Obama. I celebrated Obama’s victory as a welcomed ‘end’ to the terrible legacy of racism and slavery in America.

I received congratulatory notes and positive feedbacks from Christians for reflecting what many of them were genuinely feeling and thinking. However, I also received complaints from a number of Christians. They argued that by celebrating Obama’s victory, I have given credence to his moral policies deemed contradictory to biblical principles, particularly, partial-birth abortion and gay marriage. Support for Obama is viewed as support for immorality, an unrighteous act for a Christian. Whilst support for John McCain and Sarah Palin is biblically responsible and righteous.

It is not my habit to engage in online debates on YTL Community. Having said this, I am making an exception in this case. My critics have revealed both their misunderstanding of the nature of politics and religion, as well as deep-seated religious bias – a combination that has resulted in rather distorted and unhelpful perceptions of the Christian faith. For this reason, I am humbly making a measured response to these criticisms.

1. The moral and spiritual significance of Obama’s victory.
Contrary to suggestions otherwise, I regard celebrating Obama’s presidential victory as a morally righteous act because US race relations has a moral and spiritual dimension to it.

Racism is an evil tool to empower individuals and groups through the manipulation of fears and prejudices. They sow hatred and discord by condemning others on account of skin colour, purely for reasons of self-interests, greed and power. In the case of the US, hundreds of years of slave trade, racial bigotry, crime and injustice have left the nation broken and divided. The US harboured a deeply embedded tainted moral and spiritual legacy.

However, on 5 November, Americans rose to elect Obama. This was, I would argue, their individual and corporate act of faith. There was a willingness and determination to repent, to exorcise (figuratively speaking) the guilt of past racial crimes and discrimination, and to move on. I applauded this.

I. Personally, I can see that maybe God meant for this tainted legacy to be broken and Obama’s victory being part of His grand scheme to bring reconciliation to the US.

In my statement, I spoke of the Blood of Christ bringing forgiveness and reconciliation. I also spoke of how for many years, the seeds of this forgiveness and reconciliation were faithfully sown by men and women of faith, even to the point of persecution and death i.e. the Blood of the Martyrs.

I believe that by the grace of God, the fervent prayers of these great men and women were answered on Election Day. Our Lord Jesus gave the US nation an amazing opportunity at turning over a new leaf and at reconciliation.

“For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through His blood, shed on the cross,” Colossians 1 vs. 19 – 20, Holy Bible (New International Version).

II. I also believe that Obama was an ‘instrument’ that put an end to this legacy. God is God! He chooses whomever to achieve His goals.

It is my hope that US Christians could both appreciate the end of this appalling legacy, and make good on an amazing window of opportunity at national reconciliation. They themselves have certainly been liberated from a terrible blemish on their Christian testimonies. Let us not forget the role played by many US Christian forefathers in perpetrating and defending the slave trade, indirectly justifying racial hatred and atrocities.

Even the world all over can see and celebrate the impact of this profound development. Across the world, the beacon of hope that is the US, is shinning again. There is a sense that justice has been served.

2. One vote legitimises all?

Celebrating Obama’s victory does not mean I am lending credence to his moral policies on abortion or gay marriage. To suggest otherwise, is mistaking the complex relationship between politics and religion in any political context, not least in the US.

Identifying the US Presidential candidate of one’s choice is a most difficult task. Just when one feels comfortable towards a candidate’s stance on an issue, inevitably, another issue crops up to cloud it. At best, one chooses a candidate who closely reflects his or her views regarding a host of issues. Or, decide on a candidate based on a hierarchy of issues.

Granted, many Christians put abortion and gay issues high on their agenda in the recent US Presidential election. In my case, it was the issue of race. But does this mean when one voted for Obama, he or she signed up to all of Obama’s policies? Certainly not!

Let me be candid. Just because I support Samson, does not mean I condone his womanising with Delilah. I could champion a King David, but I would never condone his adultery with Beersheba, nor his murder of Uriah, her husband, to cover up the affair.

And for Evangelical Christians like myself, for whom the German theologian, Martin Luther is the father of the Reformation, I could nod my head happily to his theological expositions and even marvel at the beautiful lyrics of his hymns. However, I do not condone all Luther’s writings on the Jewish people. Some of his writings are deemed anti-Semitic. Equally, I am not to emulate Luther’s known character flaws – his abrasive nature towards his critics, when his “language could also move towards crudity and hatefulness” (in John Piper, The Legacy of Sovereign Joy, p.29).

I have included the following newspaper excerpt to conclude my point:

Most of California's Black Voters Backed Gay Marriage Ban (53% of Latinos Also Supported Proposition 8)

Washington Post Staff Writers, Friday, November 7, 2008; Page A03

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 6 -- Any notion that Tuesday's election represented a liberal juggernaut must overcome a detail from the voting booths of California: The same voters who turned out strongest for Barack Obama also drove a stake through the heart of same-sex marriage.

Seven in 10 African Americans who went to the polls voted yes on Proposition 8, the ballot measure overruling a state Supreme Court judgment that legalized same-sex marriage and brought 18,000 gay and lesbian couples to Golden State courthouses in the past six months.

3. Is a Bible waving Christian President sufficient?

I wish to add another observation following my previous point. Many Christians in the US and the world around, regularly vote in hope that their political candidates will pursue their moral interests once in office. We are wiser if we do not assume that by having a Christian in office, all will be well. Equally, a rhetoric rendering, Bible waving US President could prove quite fallible or just as ineffectual. There is also no guarantee the President elected will keep his promises.

Of course, we vote for political candidates who champion our views. But the reality is politicians are all fallible. There are no ‘finished products’ going into the White House nor ‘finished products’ coming out of it for that matter. Political institutions are also man-made. As such, they are just as fallible.

The question in truth is how do we hold politicians and their institutions accountable. We should never give political leaders blank cheques. Godly principles of ‘good stewardship’ demand that we must keep check of what we entrust political leaders with.

Obama’s victory begins a new chapter or a new legacy in US history. Potentially, he could facilitate the healing and reconciliation within America. For this simple reason, this new chapter in US history carries with it a great weight of responsibilities. Will he succeed or would he falter? I am praying that God can work through Obama to bring much good to the US people and to the world.

I. US Christians can and should also be an integral part of the writing of this new chapter in US history. Certainly, to be a channel of God’s grace to the US nation.

The Christian community in the US should reassess the way they handle political engagement, debate and dialogue, and get heavily involved in national reconciliation and if possible, the spiritual transformation of the nation. And by all means, doing so holding firmly to their Godly principles and values. There is no contradiction between the two.

Judging political leaders while standing on the sideline is ineffectual. Condemning Christian leaders who engage with politicians with differing religious views does not achieve positive outcomes either.

I refer to Pastor Rick Warren’s invitation to Obama to speak at Saddleback Church’s AIDS Conference. Time’s write-up on the controversy is quite revealing.

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1565076,00.html

II. US Christians can and must also hold Obama and his new administration accountable, even on issues relating to morality and religion.

For example, Jim Wallis, founder of Sojourners plans to scrutinise Obama’s commitment to reduce the number of unintended pregnancies. (Sojourners is, I understand, a progressive Christian commentary on faith, politics and culture that seeks to build a movement of spirituality and social change.)

4. What does the church stand for today?

After reading the correspondences sent to me, I researched with greater depth, Obama’s moral policies and religious views.

To know what Obama’s moral and religious policies are, please read:
‘Call to Renewal’, Keynote Address by Barack Obama, Building a Covenant for a New America Conference, 28 June 2006

http://www.barackobama.com/2006/06/28/call_to_renewal_keynote_address.php
‘Q&A: Barack Obama’
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2008/januaryweb-only/104-32.0.html

I also came across things written about him from the Christian community both in the US and the world around that I wish I had not. I was appalled and sick to the gut.

Even now, Obama is being called many terrible things under the sun – the anti-Christ, the great deceiver, the terrorist, the big sell-out etc. Can anyone believe such hatred coming from Christians? Even from some very prominent leaders? In fact some suggest that on Obama’s account, God will bring a whole host of disasters and calamities on the US nation. Far worse, some wish his death and assassination.

Where does all this hate come from? When did Christ teach us to hate in such manner, especially against those who disagree with His teachings? Is such hatred the signature of Christ?

MOST CERTAINLY NOT!

I. Yes, we Christians are emotional because some of Obama’s moral views contradict God’s word. But without love, are we not just noisy gongs and clanging cymbals?

Did the Apostle Paul not remind us that without love, the gift of prophecy, the ability to fathom mysteries and all knowledge, even the faith that moves mountains are as good as nothing? (In 1 Corinthians 13, Holy Bible).

Did the Apostle John not write, “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in Him” I John 3 vs. 14 – 15, Holy Bible.

II. Is this not the kind of gracelessness that turns people away from church and gives Christians all around the world a bad name? There is a clear line between speaking truths and being blatantly ungracious. Our Lord Jesus stresses that “love never fails.” If we fail to love, are we not just hypocrites?

III. Does the church stand for Christ’s love today? Are Christians willing to love Obama? Because God loves Obama too!

The ability to love is not only a sign of confidence in Christ, but a true knowledge of what Jesus did on the cross.

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love” I John 4 vs. 18, Holy Bible.

It appears there is a lot of fear in the churches throughout the US and the world around.

My good friend, George Verwer wrote in The Revolution of Love (pp.13-14):

This is, I believe, the basic ingredient that is largely lacking in Christianity today, and the lack of it is the source of most of our problems. It is the cancer that is eating away at the church, but it is no secret. In fact, it is so non-secretive that it is written on almost every page of the New Testament. And yet, because our hearts are so hard and cold, and because we are so self-centred, we do not see (or we do not really believe) that the basic message of the New Testament is love!

…There are thousands, even millions, of people who claims to be ‘orthodox Christians’ because they cling to a certain set of beliefs in accordance with the Bible. They are aware that they do not practise much humility, but they do not think that makes them any less orthodox. They are aware that they do not really love other Christians (especially those who are different from them), but that does not cause them to think their teaching is not biblical.

They may admit that they know nothing of serving others and considering other better than themselves, and yet they consider themselves Bible believing, orthodox Christians.

They could not be more wrong! This is not Christianity but a travesty of Christianity – thinking we can be orthodox without having humility, thinking we can call ourselves Bible-believing Christians though our lives do not show love or the other fruits of the Spirit. In fact, I believe that is the greatest error that has ever hit the church of Jesus Christ!

Final Thoughts
Today, 20 January 2009, is Obama’s inauguration. The US is in turmoil and the world is in no less trouble. These critical moments in US history require the involvement of Godly men and women not only in prayer, but bravely driving the national agenda of reconciliation, change and progress.

I have read enough about Obama to believe that he is a Christian. The fact that he honestly articulates his moral views and expresses the reasons why he supports e.g. ‘partial-birth abortion’, convinces me that he has a teachable spirit.

I am not at all condoning his moral views. Far from it! But I am willing to believe that if the Christian community engages with Obama and doing so with more Christ-likeness, I think we may just be surprised by his receptivity.

Obama may be the holder of the highest office in the US, but he is also very human. Now the questions we must ask ourselves are:

■ Who will love Obama and shower him with grace? Would our religious views prevent us from doing so?

■ Who will mentor him (spiritually) – hold him accountable and challenge him when necessary?

■ Will evangelicals in the US even get close enough to engage and disciple him, especially with the level of shameful un-grace shown towards him? Or would they just pelt him with more slurs and insults?

Let me finish by asking this fundamental question again: Does the church stand for Christ’s love today?

Tan Sri (Dr) Francis Yeoh
Managing Director, YTL Corporation Berhad

20th January 2009

Reflection on 2008: Year of Hope & Change

As I celebrated Christmas and reflected on 2008, I can’t help but be drawn to the renewed hope and change for our nation, when the three major opposition parties comprising of PKR, DAP and PAS won 82 of the 222 parliamentary seats that was at stake during the March 8 General Elections. This was a major breakthrough considering the odds stacked against the opposition parties, where the three M’s of money, media and machinery of the Barisan Nasional (BN) were at full strength, thinking that the chosen date of March 8 would bring them prosperity, but it turned out to be an electoral disaster as they lost 5 states to Pakatan Rakyat.
Why it was considered a renewed hope and change for Malaysia, was not because BN lost 5 states, but it was because Malaysians woke up to the reality of greater democracy, transparency, public accountability and social justice (over and above race-based politics of BN). This is a giant step after 51 years of solid BN rule, where we can finally put to rest the ghost and trauma of May 13, 1969, which has often been abused by the ruling coalition as a scare tactic in every general election.
Christmas is a message of hope, peace and change for a better future. 2008 was indeed a celebration of hope and change. The denial of 2/3 majority was a blessing in disguise, despite Anwar’s failed attempt to take over the Federal Govt through cross-overs. However, the point was that the people have spoken loud and clear, that no one is indispensable, and that they should be reminded to serve the rakyat, especially the poor and marginalised, regardless of their race and status in society.
However, it is sad to note that 2008 has again been hounded by the politics of the 3R’s of race, religion and repression. The first R of racial politics has continued to rule the landscape, with UMNO championing the concept of Ketuanan Melayu, instead of Bangsa Malaysia, which has become alien to them. The second R is religion, where UMNO has continued to declare that Malaysia is an Islamic State, but not a secular state with Islam as the official religion of the land. The protest at the Bar Council premises in holding the Forum on Conversion to Islam is a case in point, where discussion on the legal aspects of such conversion continues to be heated and sensitive without regard to rationality and maturity in the interest of nation building and freedom of expression. UMNO leaders have chosen to stifle freedom of expression with regards to religious discourse in building national unity and mutual understanding by declaring that Malaysia is an Islamic State. The third R is repressive laws such as the ISA, the OSA, the Police Act, the Printing Presses and Publications Act and the Sedition Act which has continued to suppress legitimate dissent and such repressive laws has been abused by those in authority to selectively prosecute those considered to be a threat to BN’s interest, rather than in the interest of national security.
Malaysians must continue to strive for change in 2009, with renewed hope and vigour, lest we become complacent with the results of March 8th. Politicians from across the political divide should set aside their differences and work towards respect, reform and restoration in building a united Malaysia with a common vision of being a developed nation by 2020. To achieve this end, our political leaders should respect the rule of law and the Federal Constitution in protecting the rights and freedoms of all Malaysians. The Federal Govt should also respect human rights issues and not discard them and hide behind repressive laws to save their political skin.
The government must work towards reforming the judiciary and advancing its agenda by the setting up of an independent Judicial Appointments Commission that will involve all stakeholders in the justice system, and not those with vested interests. Real reform can only take place with an independent and impartial judiciary. This is the key organ of government, where judges of integrity will protect the ordinary man on the street against the excesses of government. The Courts are tasked with protecting the poor and the marginalised, even if it means incurring the wrath of the Federal Govt.
There should be restoration of trust of all Malaysians irrespective of race and religion by our political leaders. By restoring that trust, we can unite all Malaysians and rebuild the country based on the concept of Bangsa Malaysia. For example, the use of draconian measures in detaining HINDRAF leaders under the ISA only invokes distrust in the minds of the Indian community towards the government of the day. This is because the ISA is itself an act of aggression against citizens who are unarmed, especially to the group who consider themselves marginalised. Should we not hear them out and resolve their grievances in the spirit of democracy and Bangsa Malaysia?
If we can take the above in the right spirit of true reform, through respect for human rights and restoration of justice for the poor and marginalised, can we then really dream of hope and change in removing the negative influences of the politics of the 3R’s of race, religion and repression that has been abused by the ruling BN to safeguard their vested interest at the expense of national unity through Bangsa Malaysia.

Big Fuss Over Race Again

I am indeed baffled that once again Malaysians are still divided over the skin colour issue. We were reminded once again at how racial issues are such a big thing in Malaysia and not economic issues. I wonder where are the priorities of Malaysians these days.

Do we have a Prime Minister who is a Malay? If that is not enough, what is the problem of having a non-Malay Malaysian as the acting GM of PKNS? Is Selangor only consists of Malays in the State? I wonder what happen to the other races? If this is not racial discrimination, then I don't know what is.

Maybe PKNS staff should need a reminder that this corporation is set up to develop the state of Selangor to look after the interest of all Malaysians living in the State, irrespective of their race.

To say that Loh Siew Moi cannot have rapport with the staff seems to be preposterous, as even the Menteri Besar has stated that she is the right person for the job. Are we saying that it's perfectly alright to overlook one's capabilities based on their skin colour?
If that being the case, then Bangsa Malaysia is merely a fantasy. I wonder what is the point of having a Race Relations Act, if this controversy were to go on.

Race Relations Act for racial harmony?

I refer to the proposed Race Relations Act which has been approved by the Cabinet to strengthen ties among the different races in the country.

Does the Act proposed create opportunities for Malaysians to explore and appreciate their differences and develop bonds among different ethnic and religious communities? After 51 years of BN rule, we have finally proposed a Race Relations Act to strengthen racial ties. This proves that the BN govt led by UMNO has been an utter failure in promoting racial harmony in Malaysia, even after the May 13 racial riots in 1969, we seem to have not learned anything, but have continued to go around in circles in trying to achieve national unity of all races.

It has been rightly pointed out that certain politicians have been the cause of racial disharmony. But in Malaysia, we have cases of the innocent being made scapegoats and conveniently detained under the ISA, while the ones who instigated it have gone scot free.

Having the Race Relations Act may not solve the fundamental issues at hand. It all boils down to our education system. A good education system must nurture in its students a desire to live in peace with people of different colour or creed, and to contribute to national unity. A multi-racial society like Malaysia, this is of vital and continued importance, but we still have cases where a mere suggestion by Tan Sri Abdul Khalid to open up UITM to a small percentage of non-Malays, have been met with vehement protests by students bordering on racial intolerance

When Malaysia experienced the racial riots in 1969, we faced a multitude of challenges to foster national unity, such as having the Rukun Negara and even the concept of Bangsa Malaysia during Dr. Mahathir's time.

But under Pak Lah's current tenure, we have failed to hear the concept of Bangsa Malaysia, but what we hear is 'Ketuanan Melayu' and the emphasis on Malay unity rather than Malaysian unity.

We have failed to respect other races and have failed to appreciate our unique qualities of being primarily Malaysian first, and our race as being secondary. BN's divide and rule policy have contributed to all this state of disharmony and disunity.

In conclusion, each of us, young or old, must play our part to maintain and improve racial harmony in our schools, universities, neighbourhood and public places. We cannot depend on the Race Relations Act alone to ensure racial ties are strengthened.
It all stems from our failed current education system and UMNO's politicians are the last people on earth who should be involved in the drafting of the proposed Act, as they should take 100% of the blame for the current poor race relations in Malaysia.

Fed up with UMNO's racial politics

We have a bunch of thugs ruling the country and using the ISA for their selfish ends to stay in power. Only cowards like them will use the ISA to silence rational dissent. Even Malaysiakini has reported that the United States has summoned the Malaysian ambassador to record its concern for the crackdown, which is an affront to human rights and democratic freedoms.

They are no different from other dictators like Adolf Hitler and his Nazis, who manipulate racial issues to work up sentiments, just like in the Ahmad Ismail saga.

We the rakyat are fed up with UMNO's racial politics. This nonsence of racial and religious politics must stop at once!!!! Hidup Reformasi !!!! Hidup Rakyat!!!!!

It's time Pakatan Rakyat do something about this nonsense once and for all and take over the Federal Govt. The BN govt is unfit to lead the country to greater heights, as all they care about is Hidup Melayu, instead of Hidup Rakyat!

Pak Lah should step down immediately, as there are even rumblings within his own cabinet, about his planned transition which is too long in 2010. He is taking the country further into the abyss of self destruction through racial and religious politics. Is Ahmad Ismail running the country, or is Pak Lah running the country? Why do we allow a thug like Ahmad Ismail get away with a three year suspension, while the rest get crucified for his sins, by being detained under the ISA.

Why is Teresa Kok, a wakil rakyat for thousands of constituents be made a threat to national security, when a thug like Ahmad Ismail who opened his mouth about the Chinese being squatters can get away with it? This is disgraceful and shows the double standards of UMNO and its ilk of arrogant racists politicians.

It all bears resemblance to Operasi Lallang in 1987, when even the innocent were made scapegoats and detained under the draconian law. This is the most shameful and disgusting episode of UMNO's racial politics and their strategy to pit the races against each other to safeguard their stupid interest for the sake of Malay unity, rather than Malaysian unity. Racism and religious extremism have reared its ugly head through UMNO, a failed racist party, desperate for survival in the fast paced globalized world.

Sept 16 A Public Holiday?

Anwar Ibrahim turned on the pressure on Barisan Nasional with his Putrajaya crusade by announcing that Pakatan Rakyat-held states plan to observe the annual Malaysia Day on Sept 16 a public holiday and celebrate the day like their East Malaysian counterparts.

The opposition leader said the public holiday would strengthen the solidarity between Malaysians in the Peninsular and those in Sabah and Sarawak.

While Aug 31 signifies then Peninsular Malaya’s freedom from British colonial masters, he pointed out that the Malaysia Day marks the birth of this country with the merger of Malaya with Sabah and Sarawak.

Anwar said, “We will show that no one would be sidelined, isolated or discriminated under Pakatan Rakyat rule,” the PKR de facto leader told some 2,000 people at the Seberang Jaya agricultural expo site, Penang.

He later said that he would bring the Sept 16 public holiday proposal to Pakatan-held states.

However, when Pakatan takes over the federal government, the coalition plans to make Sept 16 a national holiday, but this will only take place next year.

Anwar has set Sept 16 as the dateline for him to take over the federal government with a help from more than 30 defecting BN parliamentarians, especially from Sabah and Sarawak.

Currently, BN now has 140 MPs against Pakatan’s 81 MPs.

Anwar announcement on the unprecedented Malaysia Day celebrations in the Peninsular is likely to further undermine the credibility of BN federal government and lure East Malaysian MPs to hop over to Pakatan Rakyat. The announcement expressly implied that the federal government had ignored and neglected the importance of Sabah and Sarawak since states in the Peninsular do not mark the day with a public holiday.

This has exposed the deeply-rooted grouses among Sabahans and Sarawakians of “being treated like stepchildren in the nation-building process by BN”.

Anwar is certainly capitalising on it to show to East Malaysian political leaders that a Pakatan federal government would treat them equally.

The way forward now is for Anwar to be the next Prime Minister to realise the Malaysian dream of a just Malaysia, without recourse to racial politics, where every Malaysian citizen, irrespective of race or religion is treated equally under the Malaysian sun.

(Adapted from source: Malaysiakini)

Two issues facing the nation - religion and race

A brief report of the speech I made at the DAP National Congress at Crown Princess Hotel on 24 August 2008...(as reported in Mkini)

--------------------------------------------

Wakil DAP gesa PKR, PAS ambil tindakan
Jimadie Shah Othman | Aug 24, 08 5:07pm

PAS dan PKR diminta mengambil tindakan disiplin terhadap ahli-ahli mereka yang terlibat menghentikan forum “Memeluk Islam” anjuran Majlis Peguam yang mencetuskan pelbagai reaksi orang ramai.

Isu kontroversi itu muncul dalam ucapan perbahasan seorang perwakilan DAP yang menyambung perbahasan laporan setiausaha agung yang dibentangkan Lim Guan Eng semalam.

Perwakilan Bandar Lama Petaling Jaya, Ashwin Raj menyatakan kebimbangan terhadap tindakan beberapa badan bukan kerajaan (NGO) Islam, Pemuda PAS dan ahli parlimen PKR Zulkifli Nordin (Kulim-Bandar Baharu) yang terlibat menentang forum itu yang berlangsung awal bulan ini.

"Alasan bahawa forum itu anti Islam tidak berasas. Selama 50 tahun, Majlis Peguam mempunyai ahli daripada pelbagai kaum dan daripada semua agama. Ini berpunca daripada unsur-unsur ekstremisme yang tidak faham bahawa Malaysia merupakan sebuah negara sekular," katanya.

"Kita (DAP) harus mendesak rakan dalam Pakatan PAS dan PKR supaya mengambil tindakan kepada mereka yang terlibat," kata Ashwin.

Beliau turut membangkitkan cadangan menteri besar Selangor Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim supaya Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) membuka ruang 10 peratus kepada pelajar bukan bumiputera.

Bandar Baru Petaling Jaya turut mengkritik Umno kerana menentang cadangan itu dan melabelkan parti itu sebagai "parti ekstrimis."

"Apa yang dikemukan hanya cadangan sahaja, hanya 10 peratus sahaja,” katanya.

Mempersoalan pengmalan di UiTM itu, beliau berkata:

"Saya tidak dikenali di negara kelahiran saya. Adakah ini menunjukkan golongan bukan bumiputera merupakan rakyat asing?" katanya.