Rafidah slams critics with Gandhi wisdom

PETALING JAYA: "Even if you are a minority of one, the truth is still the truth".
This quote was today shared by former cabinet minister Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz (pix) on her Facebook page in light of the brickbats she has received from several Umno members over her criticism of the government.
The gist of the quote, attributed to Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi or better known Mahatma Gandhi, stresses on sticking to the truth even when things do not go your way.
"Many people, especially ignorant people, want to punish you for speaking the truth, for being correct, or for being years ahead of your time. If you are right and you know it, speak your mind," the quote reads.
The Umno veteran has kept no secrets about her feelings and concern over the country's current administration, which has apparently gotten under the skin of some of the party leaders.
Wanita Umno chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil had, on Feb 5, accused Rafidah of abandoning her own principle of loyalty to the party and its president, and said she appeared as if she had fallen prey to the games of the Opposition to weaken the party.
"I am baffled looking and reading her postings. In the 22 years Rafidah led Wanita, we were always reminded to be disciplined and to stay loyal to our party leadership, especially the president.
"This principle has as if been abandoned, where she now openly defies the Umno president's leadership and creates all sorts of perceptions and assumptions about issues faced by the party and the country's leadership," she said.
Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah had on Feb 8 also asked Rafidah not to poison the minds of the people by issuing statements that can only bring down Umno, following her comments on the recent Kedah crisis.
"Don't dispute the issue and keep on mentioning it. It has been lawfully settled," he said.
Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan had, on his Facebook, also said he found Rafidah's comments on party loyalty odd since she herself had not spoken out on funds being kept by proxies, during her stint as Wanita chief.