Khir Toyo defends protesters over 'stupid' cow
Rahmah GhazaliPublished: Sep 4, 2009 7:16 PM | Updated: Sep 5, 2009 7:26 AM
As far as Selangor opposition leader Mohd Khir Toyo is concerned, the controversy surrounding the cow-head protest in Shah Alam last week is just a big misunderstanding over a 'stupid' animal.
As far as Selangor opposition leader Dr Mohd Khir Toyo is concerned, the controversy surrounding the cow-head protest in Shah Alam last week is just a big misunderstanding over a 'stupid' animal.
According to the former menteri besar, the protesters had no intentions of belittling the Hindu religion which considers the cow to be sacred.
"The reason (the cow's head) was brought was to show that the (state government) had acted without thinking as the site (for the Hindu temple) was ready (in Section 18), so why relocate (to Section 23)?
"The state government did not think... the cow's head was displayed because it is a 'stupid' animal, to show that the state government made a 'stupid' decision, and disrupted the peace of Section 23 residents. (It has) nothing to do with religious issues," he stressed.
"I don't know who brought it (the cow's head)... but for me, there is no sensitivity (involved) or link to the animal being holy for the Indians (Hindus)," he added.
Khir was speaking to reporters in Shah Alam. Also present were Section 23 residents action committee deputy chair Ismail Saabri and the neighbourhood's Umno patrons association chairperson Azmir Md Zain.
Azmir is said to be one who brought the severed cow's head to the protest.
No comments on Hisham's 'charge them' remark
Meanwhile, Khir steered clear of commenting on Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein's call to charge those involved on the protest.
"That is up to him. I am not involved in that one. I am just commenting on it (the issue) because people have turned it into a racial issue and that is not right," he said.
Khir also said that he was not sure if Umno members were involved in the protest and left that to the police to investigate.
The case is being investigated under the Sedition Act and so far more than 60 people have been quizzed over the incident.
Last Friday, some 50 residents staged the protest against the proposal to relocate a Hindu temple to their area and paraded the cow’s head from the state mosque to the state secretariat building.
The incident made international news and drew condemnation from all quarters, including Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat leaders.
Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak had also expressed regret over the matter.
According to the former menteri besar, the protesters had no intentions of belittling the Hindu religion which considers the cow to be sacred."The reason (the cow's head) was brought was to show that the (state government) had acted without thinking as the site (for the Hindu temple) was ready (in Section 18), so why relocate (to Section 23)?
"The state government did not think... the cow's head was displayed because it is a 'stupid' animal, to show that the state government made a 'stupid' decision, and disrupted the peace of Section 23 residents. (It has) nothing to do with religious issues," he stressed.
"I don't know who brought it (the cow's head)... but for me, there is no sensitivity (involved) or link to the animal being holy for the Indians (Hindus)," he added.
Khir was speaking to reporters in Shah Alam. Also present were Section 23 residents action committee deputy chair Ismail Saabri and the neighbourhood's Umno patrons association chairperson Azmir Md Zain.
Azmir is said to be one who brought the severed cow's head to the protest.
No comments on Hisham's 'charge them' remark
Meanwhile, Khir steered clear of commenting on Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein's call to charge those involved on the protest.
"That is up to him. I am not involved in that one. I am just commenting on it (the issue) because people have turned it into a racial issue and that is not right," he said.
Khir also said that he was not sure if Umno members were involved in the protest and left that to the police to investigate. The case is being investigated under the Sedition Act and so far more than 60 people have been quizzed over the incident.
Last Friday, some 50 residents staged the protest against the proposal to relocate a Hindu temple to their area and paraded the cow’s head from the state mosque to the state secretariat building.
The incident made international news and drew condemnation from all quarters, including Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat leaders.
Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak had also expressed regret over the matter.
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