‘No regrets’ storming state assembly

Penang Umno Youth is still waiting for Rayer to apologise over 'celaka' remark.

GEORGE TOWN: Penang Umno Youth vice-chairman Jasmin Nordin has refused to show remorse over yesterday’s storming of the Penang Assembly House during a demonstration against Seri Delima Assemblyman RSN Rayer of DAP.

“I have no regrets over what has happened,” Jasmin told newsmen today as he and about 50 others gathered in a food court outside the Assembly House, where legislators were debating a resolution seeking condemnation of the incident.

He said he and his supporters were at the food court to “wait and see” whether Rayer would apologise for a perceived insult on Malays in his speech in the assembly on Tuesday.

Rayer had said “Umno celaka” in his speech. “Celaka” is often used colloquially to express disgust. It can be interpreted as “rascal”, “ruffian” or “be damned”.

Jasmin denied that yesterday’s demonstrators were all Umno members, saying they included representatives of non-governmental organisations as well as individual Malays who felt insulted by Rayer.

Jasmin and 11 others were arrested last night on suspicion of trespassing. They were released on police bail this morning.

Rayer, who last night lodged a report with the Jelutong police station, is attending today’s assembly session and has so far not apologised for Tuesday’s speech.

He told newsmen this morning that he would not apologise. Jasmin, who was told about this, said the assemblyman was being “arrogant”.

Before yesterday’s protesters dispersed, Penang Opposition Leader Jahara Hamid told them Speaker Law Choo Kiang had agreed to order Rayer to retract his remark and apologise.

At the start of today’s assembly sitting, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng tabled a resolution seeking a condemnation of Umno over yesterday’s incident and calling for the formation of a task force of five legislators to investigate it.