My Clarification On “Rainbow Coalition” That Published in Sin Chew

Posted on by Teresa

I wish to refer to the report in Sin Chew Jit Poh today that said I made sarcastic remarks over the “Rainbow Coalition” name that is being led by Sdr Teng Chang Khim. It alleged I said that it is laughable.

I am shocked the report was written in such a manner.

What happened was that when Charles Santiago and I were being interviewed by the media about the DAP Selangor state election after the Rotary Club event in Klang, I declined to comment. When a reporter asked me what I thought about “Rainbow Coalition”, I asked Charles Santiago whether “Rainbow” was used by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) organizations. Charles Santiago then explained that in the United States, “Rainbow Coalition”  meant organisations that encompassed all groups.

Although Teng Chang Khim responded by calling people who don’t understand the meaning of “Rainbow Coalition” as people who never read  (“bo tak chek” in Hokkien), I wish to state here that that “rainbow” is commonly used by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender  (LGBT)groups as their symbols. But what I have said was taken out of context to insinuate I had meant to question minority groups.

 I have no intention to make sarcastic remarks against “Rainbow Coalition” led by Teng, nor intend to run down the minority groups. What was reported in Sin Chew today has been sensationalised, and this is not what I intended in the first place.

5 thoughts on “My Clarification On “Rainbow Coalition” That Published in Sin Chew”

  1. I’m not interested in the petty squabbles that tend to be sensationalized by MSM. What I want to know is whether whoever wins, will he/she be inclusive enough? Please remember our common enemy or rather the ONLY enemy is UMNO/BN. Please don’t disappoint people like us who have been DAP supporters all these years. If you can’t work as a team, how are you going the administer Putrajaya?

  2. I agreed with Foo. Just do your work whole heartedly, otherwise people will read between your lines. How many pages of explaination from YB also no use. Mr. Teng is only your competitor for the moment of time, not your enemy for ever.

  3. As a leader you need to be sensitive to what you said and what you ask, let that be a lesson to you.

    It is important to clarify one’s view about sensitive issues as they can be easily put out of context.

    Many great leaders have fallen owing to their lack of sensitiveness to the nature and meaning of certain words, issues and culture.

    A minister in Singapore was forced to resign by joking that he can only see teeth when he visited Serangoo road where little India was located.

    For those who sensationalize sensitive issues relating to race and culture are probably either racist or a maniac to society at large.

  4. In United State Haliry Clinton was pitting against Barrack Obama for the President candidate within the party but once won to be the candidate the whole party were behind him. After winning to be the President he appionted the most important post to Hilary Clinton. Hope to learn something from them, once the party election over every elected party leader should support each other to win in the coming GE.

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