Guan Eng declines comment on Ngeh unless...

DAP buat hal lagi, persoal tindakan orang Islam bantah filem hina Nabi...

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng has declined to comment on the party’s Perak head Ngeh Koo Ham over his tweets on the anti-Islam film.

Lim, who is Penang Chief Minister, asked instead that his statement on the issue, sent out on Sept 16, be published in the media first.

He was responding to a question by a journalist from a Malay language daily, who asked him to comment on Ngeh’s “offending” tweets directed at Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin.

In his tweet, Ngeh (right) criticised Khairy’s call for Muslims to protest against Sam Bacile, who allegedly produced the film, which caused worldwide protests and the murder of American ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens, in Benghazi.

“Khairy wants Muslims (to) protest against Sam Bacile. For Islam or for his political gains? Are Muslims wasting too much time and energy on this?”

Ngeh’s tweets led to an outcry from Umno leaders and supporters, including those from the DAP’s partner, PAS.

Ngeh, who is Setiawan assemblyperson, clarified that he was not anti-Islam and admitted that he respects the planned joint protest by Muslim groups, including PAS.

‘Film meant to incite sentiments’

In his Sept 16 statement, Lim said DAP strongly condemned the film, which it considered not only “lacking of sensitivities but clearly meant to incite religious sentiments”.

Although the party respects freedom of speech and creativity, Lim said such films should be retracted as any publication must be morally responsible towards other cultures and religions or ethnic communities.

“The freedom to create should not be abused as has been done by this filem,” said Lim in a statement which was then not carried by the mainstream media.

“The DAP urges the rakyat to reject the film as it is clear it has insulted the religion and faith of the Muslim community,” he added.

Meanwhile, Lim said DAP also condemned the murder the murder of the envoy in Libya, saying “violence is not the way to resolve the issue”.

He added that the incident should remind everyone that democracy and freedom is not a licence to use or abuse the race, religion, culture and faith of others in order to ceate enemies or conflicts.

“We are confident that the Muslims in Malaysia are confident enough and wise in facing this tragedy,” Lim said.

“Protests must be done in the best possible manner to avoid worse incidents from happening,” he added.