I didn't utter 'balik India', says Komtar rep
Komtar assemblyperson Ng Wei Aik has instructed his lawyers to issue a letter of demand to the Malaysian Indian Muslim Congress (Kimma) for alleging yesterday that the former had uttered racist remarks to insult the Muslims in Penang.
Komtar assemblyperson Ng Wei Aik has instructed his lawyers to issue a letter of demand to the Malaysian Indian Muslim Congress (Kimma) for alleging yesterday that the former had uttered racist remarks to insult the Muslims in Penang.
Ng, who is political secretary to Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, wants the group to explain, retract and apologise for accusing him of using the words "tutup kedai, balik India" (close shop, return to India) on shopowner Syed Kassali Mohamad Aliyar.
Ng had reportedly used the words on several of the owner's workers when sealing a nasi kandar outlet along with enforcement officers of the Penang Municipal Council two days ago.
Questioned about this, Ng reiterated what he had said in his tweet this morning: "Swear to the God, I have not uttered any remark of 'balik India' against anyone".
"Do not put words into my mouth... this is too much," he told reporters in Penang today.
Ng said he was at the premises on the night in question when he was accused of uttering the words as an accident had happened there, involving a car and a stall belonging to the shop owner.
"The car had hit a stall owned by the restaurant... fortunately, it did not hit their customers... if it had, can the shop owner be held responsible?" he asked.
"So, as a responsible government, we had to remove any obstruction along the shop to safeguard public safety... our actions are defendable... we did not go against the law.
"I never used the word India or Indian during the incident... we take action not because someone is a Malay, Chinese or Indian... but according to the law."
Ng said if he did indeed uttered those racist words, the shopowner or the Malay Muslim group would have reacted instantly.
"Why did Kimma only react now? It has been three days," he said.
"I am sure even Kimma cannot answer this question," he added.
Apology required
Yesterday, Kimma Penang liaison committee chairperson Faruk Raja Mohamed questioned whether it was right for an elected representative to hurl a racist remark and act roughly with the people.
"He is not professional in discharging his duties," Faruk told reporters.
He said Kimma wanted the state government to be responsible for the action and apologise to Indian Muslims in the country.
Faruk also said Kimma would discuss with the Muslim Restaurant Operators Association of Malaysia (Presma) the next course of action against the DAP-led state government if it remained silent on the matter.
