Patriot demands apology over offensive article on scrapping of HSR

PETALING JAYA: The National Patriots Association (Patriot) wants the Chinese government or its daily to apologise for an article deemed offensive about the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High-Speed Rail project which has been scrapped under the new government.
"In view of national sentiments and serious ethical concerns, Patriot and Business Ethics Institute of Malaysia (BEIM) hereby requests either the Chinese government apologise for the offending article or officially distance itself from The Global Times article.
"The claim that 'The Chinese government will also take concrete measures to safeguard the interests and rights of Chinese enterprises'," is a threat that we Malaysians will not tolerate.

"Patriot will defend our own national interests and priorities as much as China deems that Chinese rights are to be safeguarded.
"Likewise, BEIM will not let any form of unethical business stances plough through our land just because our current prime minister's immediate predecessor entered into agreements with China that still smokes of lack of transparency and accountability, let alone serving the best interest of both nations on a fair yardstick.
"As a nation of democratic citizens, we will protect our own national interest first and foremost and not yield to any pressures coming from outside or in cohorts with leaders within our shores.
"Hence we register our serious protest." Patriot and BEIM said in a joint statement today.
Recently, Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad announced that Malaysia plans to drop its plans for a high-speed rail link between its capital, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore, and will talk with its southern neighbour about the pact to build it.
After Pakatan Harapan swept to power in the 14th General Election on May 9, it announced that it would review mega projects initiated by the previous administration to save the country billions of ringgit.
The HSR is a 350km railway project linking Kuala Lumpur and Singapore and was expected to start operations from 2026.