KUALA LUMPUR: Nobody should belittle Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's apology over an alleged racist remark by Bukit Bendera Umno division chief Datuk Ahmad Ismail, Wanita Umno chief Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz said.

She said the Deputy Prime Minister had apologised on behalf of everybody and it should be accepted.

"I think nobody should belittle his apology. It is not easy for a Deputy Prime Minister to do that. I was surprised that he apologised but I think that's very good because he wants to stop this whole semantic or debate," she told reporters after presenting Hari Raya contributions to the armed forces and the police at Putra World Trade Centre here yesterday.

"Ahmad Ismail is not representative of so many people. That's most important."

On Ahmad calling on Gerakan to leave Barisan Nasional, Rafidah said : "I think that's his personal opinion. I don't think Gerakan will do that. I don't want to comment further."

Asked about Ahmad's supporters tearing a poster of Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, she said:

"My advice is that we should not be carried away by emotions. Please be careful not to offend the feelings of any party regardless of race."

On Gerakan's retaliation by severing ties with Penang Umno, she said: "Once you touch on sensitivity, the repercussion is to that extent.

"I appeal to Koh to look forward. Together we have to ensure that these sensitivities do not come up. Barisan must now focus on the aspect of unity. We can't afford to have infighting about things like race origins.

"Please do not let that be a reason to leave the party and break up unity in Barisan," she said.