Members of the Federal Unit Reserve (FRU) stand guard at the gate of the Penang state assembly hall to control the mob protesting the 'Umno celaka' statement made by Seri Delima assemblyman R.S.N. Rayer during the state assembly meeting on Tuesday. – The Malaysian Insider pic, May 22, 2014.The leader of a group of protesters who disrupted the Penang assembly sitting yesterday says he has no regrets despite the fallout from the incident.
Jasmin Noordin, Penang Umno Youth vice-chief, said the group planned a bigger protest if Seri Delima assemblyman R.S.N. Rayer refused to apologise for saying “Umno celaka” (Umno be damned) in the house on Tuesday.
Jasmin was one of 12 people detained by the police overnight for their involvement in storming the assembly building yesterday afternoon and creating a ruckus in the house.
He said the 12, now under investigation for committing mischief and trespassing, have all been released on police bail.
"Today, we have about 50 people hanging around the area since 8.30am... we want Rayer to apologise.
"Yesterday, when we spoke to the speaker (Datuk Law Choo Kiang), we told him we want Rayer to apologise in the house," he said.
Jasmin said the police have also told them to stay away from the assembly building.
Security at the state legislative assembly had been tightened since the incident yesterday.
A group of men leave the Penang state assembly hall after making a scene inside the hall yesterday. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, May 22, 2014.Policemen, including the Light Strike Force, have been stationed at the entrance and across the road.
Members of the press without passes were turned away. Later, a few reporters were allowed in after state exco Phee Boon Poh intervened.
Rayer had accused Umno of being rude and insolent and of stoking racial sentiments when a few members unfurled a banner referring to the May 13, 1969 racial riots at a rally on January 18.
The January rally was organised by Malay non-governmental organisations unhappy with Machang Bubuk assemblyman Lee Khai Loon who had organised an “I love Kangkung” flashmob several days earlier.
An effigy of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak fed with kangkung (water spinach) featured prominently at the flashmob which was organised in response to Najib's claim that the government was always blamed when price of goods and services went up but not when it was lower.
Yesterday, Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin deplored the action of some Youth wing members who were among the group.
Khairy said the members were extremely upset and what they had done was understandable.
"They are unhappy with the DAP assemblyman over what he had said, which was uncouth.
"However, storming into the hall is not right and they should have just protested outside the premises," he said yesterday after a walkabout with the Barisan Nasional Teluk Intan by-election candidate Datuk Mah Siew Keong.
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