KU NAN APOLOGISES FOR ‘SLOW LEARNERS GO TO UITM’ COMMENT
Minister says he was just giving motivational speech to students
FEDERAL Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor has apologised for his “slow learners go to UiTM” remark on Sunday, which triggered an outrage.
He said he had no intention of denigrating anyone, and was sorry if his statement had hurt others.
“I was just giving a motivational speech to students.”
Tengku Adnan said he made the remark to remind them “that the government, which has been in power for the past 60 years, has contributed many things that are taken for granted”.
“The most important thing the government has provided is security. With this, we are able to do everything, (from) earning a living, running businesses to (receive an) education and many more.
“That was my intention while I was speaking,” he said at a press conference with Universiti Teknologi Mara’s (UiTM) Alumni
Association at his office in Menara Dato’ Onn yesterday.
The conference was followed by a private meeting between the minister, who is better known as Ku Nan, and the association on the matter.
He thanked the association’s president, Datuk Mohd Zaini Hassan, and the association’s members for accepting his apology.
Tengku Adnan said he did not anticipate that certain quarters would use his remarks against him, and take advantage of the situation to strain his relationship with UiTM’s alumni and students.
“My family and I have benefited greatly from UiTM. It is an institution that was developed to help Malays and Bumiputera.
“I realise and know that sometimes, I may say the wrong things. I need to be more careful,” he said, adding that the issue could be laid to rest.
He had made the remark while delivering a speech at Majlis Anugerah Nadi Negara on Sunday.
He reportedly made the remark to underscore the fact that many students were not grateful for Umno’s contributions to the country and the privileges they enjoyed today.