Chan concerned over bids to stir racial sentiments ahead of Xi's visit

Chan concerned over bids to stir racial sentiments ahead of Xi's visit


Published: Mar 28, 2025 3:39 PM
Updated: 6:41 PM


Summary

• Deputy Minister Chan Foong Hin calls for rational handling of sensitive issues as Malaysia prepares for Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit.

• His remarks follow allegations that a Malaysian NGO was promoting communist ideology, leading to a police investigation.

Deputy Plantation and Commodities Minister Chan Foong Hin has expressed concern over certain individuals attempting to stir racial and ideological sentiments ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's official visit.

Speaking after the opening ceremony of the 2025 China-Malaysia Think Tank Forum at Universiti Malaya, Chan urged all parties to handle sensitive political issues rationally.

“At this critical time, with Xi’s visit on the horizon, it is important that we address such matters with wisdom,” Chan was quoted as saying by Oriental Daily News.

He regretted that certain parties were using this moment to incite emotions along ideological and racial lines.

Chan (above) encouraged forums or activities that deepen cooperation between Malaysia and China to be conducted instead at this crucial juncture for bilateral relations.

This came after claims emerged that the Malaysian Association for Promotion of the Peaceful Reunification of China has been promoting communist ideology in Malaysia.

The controversy was sparked after former Dewan Negara president Rais Yatim lodged a police report questioning whether the organisation was advocating for communism after he watched a brief video about them.

Ex-Dewan Negara president Rais Yatim

While Chan did not directly name Rais in his comments, his remarks are widely seen as a response to the former senator’s allegations.

Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain has vowed a comprehensive investigation against the group.

“Malaysia has sternly rejected communist ideology since 1948, and any form of promotion and glorification of such beliefs can be classified as a threat to public order and national unity,” he warned.