Kamalanathan forgives Umno man who assaulted him

Kamalanathan is seen here in a hospital the day after the assault. - January 26, 2014.Deputy Education Minister and Hulu Selangor Member of Parliament, P. Kamalanathan has forgiven the man who assaulted him at his service centre in Hulu Selangor on January 12.

Kamalanathan said this incident was a personal matter between Hulu Selangor Umno Youth assistant secretary Muhammad Rizuan Suhaimi and him, and what transpired was an unintentional act of emotion.

"To err is human and I have no reason to continue being upset with this incident," he said in a statement today.

On January 12, Kamalanathan was punched by Muhammad Rizuan while attending a programme in Hulu Selangor. The teacher was reported to have been upset that Kamalanathan could not assist in transferring the teacher's wife from Johor to Selangor.

However, Kamalanathan stressed that this was not a political matter as it was related to a request for transfer, that was under the Education Ministry.

"I have explained to the man the process for transfer requests and informed him that the officials in the ministry of education are responsible for considering the merit of each case.

"I do not interfere with the administrative process of any department. I do issue support letters for appeal based on compassionate and/or humanitarian reasons," he said.

Kamalanathan also said that he would not interfere with police investigations and advised the public and the media not to exaggerate this incident further but allow space for the authorities to complete their investigation. – Bernama