KUALA LUMPUR: DAP leader Dr P. Ramasamy has claimed that certain publications had misquoted him on his Facebook posting which called for reform in the nation's public service sector.
The Penang Deputy Chief Minister said his proposal for reforms was in the spirit of bringing about meaningful changes to the practice of governance and it was not tantamount to "breaking the monopoly of the Malays."
Publicity-seeking politicians, he said, unfortunately, sought to reinterpret the 'second hand' news in the media to give a racial slant to his argument and they engaged in race-baiting.
He was responding to the New Straits Times on the calls from several politicians calling for him to be sacked following his controversial remarks which proposed that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim break the Malays' monopoly in the public sector.
Ramasamy adds Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg and G25 spokesperson Noor Faridah Mohd Ariffin have also suggested reforms in the public service previously.
"This is what happens when truth gets distorted in the quagmire of racism and religious extremism.
"My posting on the need for reforms in the civil service is something that I have talked about in the past but without the present devious nefarious political slant.
"My view on the civil service is a personal one; it doesn't reflect the position of my party or its leaders," said the Perai state assemblyman.
Ramasamy said calling for action against him is not going to hide the elephant in the room and that those who are unpalatable to reform are those who want to reinforce the existing status quo.