'I've been called bastard, and I took it in jest'

Embattled DAP Seri Delima assemblyman RSN Rayer said he was even called a bastard (haram jadah) by those braying for his blood when they barged into the Penang legislative assembly. However, he took it all in jest.

"They called me all sort of names, haram jadah, pariah... Let’s debate the issue instead," Rayer said when met at the state assembly yesterday.

He was referring to the angry mob of 12 men who forced themselves into the state assembly on Wednesday, looking for him for saying the word "celaka" on Umno, which they deem an insult to Malays and Islam.

Another group of about 20 accompanying the angry mob was outside the state assembly, hurling abusive words at Rayer, calling him "bangsat, pariah and racist" and they also brought eggs to pelt on him, had he been around.

Rayer said he used the word "celaka" (damned) only on three Umno leaders - Reezal Merican Naina Merican (Kepala Batas MP) and Shabudin Yahya (Tasek Gelugor MP) and Penang Umno deputy chief Musa Sheikh Fadzir - because the party often preached the concept of 1Malaysia but always played on racial issues.

Reezal Merican, Shabudin and Musa took part in a rally by pro-Umno supporters in Seberang Jaya in January, at which banners blaming DAP for the May 13 racial riots were displayed.

Situation better in previously assembly

Rayer said the situation was better when former Penaga assemblyman Azhar Ibrahim was state opposition leader, from 2008 to last year, before Teluk Ayer Tawar assemblyperson Jahara Hamid took over after the 13th general election.

"Worse things have been said. Sometimes we scold each other in the House. We call each other samseng (gangsters), but when we come out we are friends," Rayer said. "We don't fight in the streets. We discuss issues."

Rayer denied insulting the Malays and Islam, reiterating that he referred only to the three Umno leaders when using the word "celaka".

He reiterated that he did not use it on any of the Umno assemblypersons in the House, which is why no one stood up and protested when he uttered the word.

"What I wanted to say was ‘damn it’. What is wrong with that? I mix around with Malays and it is a common word they too use. It would be different if I said ‘anak haram’ or ‘barua’," he said.

"It is worse in Parliament. They have called us ‘keling’ and told us to balik India. We still take it," he added.

Motion for Rayer to apologise not tabled

Rayer did not apologise for his actions as Umno assemblymen did not table a motion to compel him to do so yesterday, because they lacked the numbers.

A motion needs the support of 10 assemblymen before it can be tabled for debate in the House.

Jahara had apologised on behalf of the intruders after Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng tabled an emergency motion on the matter yesterday,  laying full blame on Penang Umno for the incident, the first in the history of the Penang legislative assembly.

On why he was absent during the intrusion that took place at 2.15pm, Rayer said he was shocked and had to run away as it was pointless to talk with an angry mob.

He said if he had been around, he may have had to climb the gates and run away as he really feared for his life.

He added that he had received bullets before during his career as a politician since 2008 and as a lawyer, but it was nothing like what happened this time.

"I heard they were coming in the morning. I thought the rally would only be outside. Then I heard they came inside the assembly building, looking for me. I was told not to come back," he added.

He is leaving the matter to the police to investigate, since he has lodged a report on the matter.

Two other reports were lodged on the incident by PKR leaders and Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia yesterday, seeking a proper investigation and for appropriate action to be taken against the intruders.

It is learnt that the 12 men who were arrested and questioned for trespassing into the state assembly have been released by George Town OCPD Mior Faridalatrash.