Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin's remark that Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng was 'stupid' in calling for people to wear clothes of three colours to the BN Chinese New Year open house in Penang has been slammed as "racist".
Lim expressed regret over the statement, saying he felt hurt as Muhyiddin had uttered a "racist" statement that insulted him personally.
"Muhyiddin never used this word on other Pakatan Rakyat menteri besar who are Malays," Lim said in a statement today.
"This shows his racist character. The word 'bodoh' (stupid) used on me is insulting," he added.
"He never used it on a Malay MB in Pakatan and since I am the only Chinese CM, he used it on me," Lim lamented.
Muhyiddin called Lim 'stupid' when responding to Lim's suggestion that those attending the BN's event on Feb 11 - which will feature top Korean pop idol Psy - to wear yellow for Bersih, green for the environment and red for change.
The deputy prime minister accused Lim of politicking and slammed him for aiming to disrupt the BN open house event at the Han Chiang College, saying it was supposed to be a happy occasion to promote unity.
"I am sure the BN won't be disturbing their events or asking people to wear black or blue. This looks like a stupid thing to do (kerja bodoh). He thinks he is smart, but he's actually not," Muhyiddin had said
'DPM is insensitive'
When it was pointed out to Lim that Muhyiddin's remark was targeted at his statement, not at him personally, Lim said Muhyiddin was insensitive in using the word during the Chinese New Year period.
He said the DPM had attacked him very badly over a small matter such as Psy's performance in Penang, which was not a big issue.
"There are bigger matters in Selangor, such as the water issue, but Muhyiddin has never used such a word. It shows utter disrespect," Lim said.
"This shows that the BN has not changed. A leopard does not change its spots and BN will never change its racist character," he added.
Lim also said he has not received BN's purported invitation to attend its Feb 11 open house.
State BN Youth chief Oh Tong Keong said the invitations were sent to the chief minister and all state assemblypersons on Monday.
State executive councillors - Abdul Malik Kassim (PKR-Batu Maung), Wong Hon Wai (DAP-Air Itam) and Phee Boon Poh (DAP-Sungai Puyu) - all said they were yet to receive the invitations from BN.
"We cannot simply gatecrash the event," said Abdul Malik, who is also state PKR vice-chairperson.