Umno: Not us, we didn't attack Guan Eng's son

KUALA LUMPUR - Umno leaders have insisted that the accusations of sexual harassment levelled against Lim Guan Eng’s son have nothing to do with the party despite the claims being highlighted on a party division chief’s blog.

Lawmakers from the senior partner in Barisan Nasional (BN) were quick to distance themselves from the allegations as public anger grows over the claims made in pro-Umno blogs that the Penang chief minister’s son assaulted a classmate and tried to escape punishment by using his father’s name.

While some MPs from the ruling party told The Malaysian Insider that the allegations “are only the personal view” of Bukit Gelugor chief Dr Novandri Hasan Basri, (left) others who declined to be quoted admitted they were appalled that a 16-year-old boy had been subjected to such public humiliation.

“The police should investigate the claim as it involves bribery by a public figure. But if it is not true, then police must take action against the bloggers. The party should also take action against Dr Novandri,” said Kinabatangan MP Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin.

Lim had denied the allegations two days ago, saying he was furious with the “barbaric lies” made about his teenage son by “pro-Umno ferocious beasts.”

His colleagues in Pakatan Rakyat (PR) have come out strongly in support of the DAP secretary general against what they call “the lowest gutter politics” seen in decades.

The principal of SMK Heng Ee in George Town also moved yesterday to put an end to the accusations, calling them “completely untrue.”

DAP held a press conference yesterday claiming the photograph of the purported “victim” used by Umno bloggers was that of 21-year-old chess Grandmaster Anya Sun Corke who is studying at Wellesley College in the United States.

But Umno leaders such as Datuk Mohamad Aziz said that Lim should sue the bloggers involved if the claims were untrue.

“Umno is not involved, settle it with the bloggers,” the Sri Gading MP said.

Kuala Nerus MP Datuk Mohd Nasir Ibrahim Fikr also said that “this is not the party’s stand; Dr Novandri does not represent Umno as he is not a top leader.”

Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin had also weighed in on Monday, writing on micro-blogging site Twitter on Monday, “Mungkin dia roboh Kampung Buah Pala sebab nak ganti dengan Kampung Buah Dada” in response to another tweet by pro-Umno blogger PapaGomo. [English translation: Maybe he destroyed Kampung Buah Pala because he wants to replace it with Kampung Buah Dada].

The Rembau MP suggested there was nothing wrong with his remarks and called his critics hypocrites as “what BN leaders & their families get from opposition is far worse.”

DAP have called on Khairy today to “retract his snide remarks and apologise to Guan Eng’s son, who is an innocent victim.

“As a role model to young Malaysians claiming — and who claims to be — an example of ‘new politics’ he must take responsibility,” DAP publicity chief Tony Pua said.

- Malaysian Insider