KJ: Intruding into Dewan wrong but demo justified

Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin said protesters today said that it was "wrong" for protestors to barge into the Penang state legislative assembly.

However, he said that the protest against DAP's Seri Delima assemblyperson RSN Rayer's remark that Umno is "celaka" (damned) is justified.

"They are clearly upset by the celaka (remark), and the reason why they went to demonstrate is justified," he said before a walkabout with BN Teluk Intan candidate Mah Siew Keong this evening.

"I support them to protest outside the building, but storming in the dewan (hall) is definitely wrong," he stressed.

He was commenting on the act of 10 protestors, including Penang Umno deputy youth chief Jasmin Nordin, who barged into the House this afternoon.

They were looking for Rayer, who was absent from proceedings today, while other protesters noisily demonstrated outside.

Khairy's remark is in line with Penang Opposition Leader Jahara Hamid, who said that the sanctity of the House should be preserved.

"The 10 of us (BN reps) can control ourselves but at times we, too, cannot stand being called certain things. Yet for we continue to be patient for the sanctity of the House," she was quoted byBernama as saying.

Jahara (BN-Teluk Air Tawar) said this while debating an emergency motion on the incident.

Shahedan Ayoob Hussein (BN-Teluk Bahang) were among 10 BN assemblypersons to support the tabling of the motion to condemn the barging of the Penang legislative assembly, despite Umno Youth leaders' involvement in the incident.

"I decided to support the motion as creating chaos in the Dewan is wrong," Shahedan later told Malaysiakini.

He said that the act which led to the arrest of 12 for trespass is unjustified even though Rayer's remark in the House yesterday is "hurtful" to Malays.

He added that BN had wanted to move for disciplinary action against Rayer but "did not have the numbers" .

But although he supported the tabling of the motion, Shahedan and nine BN assemblypersons abstained from voting.

Twenty-five Pakatan Rakyat assemblypersons voted "aye" on the motion tabled by state executive councillor Chow Kon Yeow.

The motion reads:

• That the state assembly strongly condemns the unruly act by the intruders at 2pm today, creating chaos, damaging property and threatening the security of the assemblymen and officers inside the hall;
   
• That the Dewan views the matter seriously and that the act insult the dignity of the House and the attempt to damage the Malaysian and Penang flags threatened the sovereignity of the House;
   
• That the Dewan voice out its regret towards the incident which has become a black mark in the history of parliamentary democracy in Penang and Malaysia; and
   
• That the Dewan order the police chief Abdul Rahim Hanafi to probe the criminal act of intruding into the House, and persecute them in court so that the dignity if the house will be restored.

The Penang assembly has 40 Pakatan reps and 10 BN assemblypersons, made up entirely of Umno reps.

MCA: This is why we're losing votes

Meanwhile, Penang MCA deputy chief Tan Teik Cheng condemned a group of Umno Youth members who barged into the House.

Describing the act as "disgusting and rude", he said it has tarnished the House, which is supposed to be the highest institution in democracy system.

Tan added that it is MCA and Gerakan who lose out on votes due to such "barbaric, rude and violent" acts by Umno members.

"If Umno leaders still want to ask why the voters do not support BN, please look at their members first.

"If Umno wishes to regain the trust and good impression from the people, please educate their members first!"