An eyewitness of the alleged "assault" on Deputy Education Minister Wee Ka Siong at last Sunday's Chinese education rally in Kajang says the 'attacker' did not try to punch Wee but to show him the "thumbs down" sign.
Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) secretary-general Stanley Yong Yew Wei, who was just a metre away from Wee when the incident took place, told Sin Chew Dailythat it was not an assault but an "inappropriate action".
According to him, Wee took some seven minutes to walk from the entrance of New Era College, where the rally was held, to his seat in front of the stage, escorted by some 10 policemen and marshals.
When Wee was near his seat, Yong said, some six to seven people approached him.
"At that time, I noticed a middle-age man clad in yellow squeeze to the front with few others. When Wee was about to sit down, this man charged forward, mumbled something about wanting Wee to step down, and with his right hand showed the 'thumbs down' sign, meaning Wee should step down," Yong is quoted as saying.
He said the man then stretched his arm towards Wee and it was at that time, Yong believes, that his thumb touched Wee's cheek.
"But the man's action was very slow. I don't he want to punch Wee. The police also blocked the man's arm, pushing him to step backward, but in less than 10 seconds, he charged at Wee and scolded Wee again.
"If the man's action was harsh, Wee's head should be bent to the other side, but his head wasn't bent sidewards. Wee just touched his face, smiled and did not show any surprise expression. He then sat down, as if nothing had happened," Yong recalls to Sin Chew Daily.
He said the man was then advised and pacified by the policemen and marshals before he left the scene.
Should he man have tried to assault Wee, the policemen would have recorded his details, Yong added.
Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) secretary-general Stanley Yong Yew Wei, who was just a metre away from Wee when the incident took place, told Sin Chew Dailythat it was not an assault but an "inappropriate action".
According to him, Wee took some seven minutes to walk from the entrance of New Era College, where the rally was held, to his seat in front of the stage, escorted by some 10 policemen and marshals.
When Wee was near his seat, Yong said, some six to seven people approached him.
"At that time, I noticed a middle-age man clad in yellow squeeze to the front with few others. When Wee was about to sit down, this man charged forward, mumbled something about wanting Wee to step down, and with his right hand showed the 'thumbs down' sign, meaning Wee should step down," Yong is quoted as saying.He said the man then stretched his arm towards Wee and it was at that time, Yong believes, that his thumb touched Wee's cheek.
"But the man's action was very slow. I don't he want to punch Wee. The police also blocked the man's arm, pushing him to step backward, but in less than 10 seconds, he charged at Wee and scolded Wee again.
"If the man's action was harsh, Wee's head should be bent to the other side, but his head wasn't bent sidewards. Wee just touched his face, smiled and did not show any surprise expression. He then sat down, as if nothing had happened," Yong recalls to Sin Chew Daily.
He said the man was then advised and pacified by the policemen and marshals before he left the scene.
Should he man have tried to assault Wee, the policemen would have recorded his details, Yong added.
Police to question reporters
The rally, which attracted more than 10,000 participants, was held by Chinese education group Dong Zong to protest the shortage of Chinese-educated teachers for Chinese schools.
Despite denials by the organiser and Selangor police, Wee maintains that he was nearly punched during the rally.
In another related development, Dong Zong deputy president Chow Siew Hong told the daily that the organisation would apologise to Wee if there was evidence to show that he had been punched.
Chow reiterated the the video footage recorded that day did not show any assault taking place.
Nevertheless, Dong Zong would screen the complete footage to the relevant quarters.
Another Chinese daily, China Press, reported that Kajang police, which has received five police reports on the incident, would summon four reporters today to record their statements on the matter.
The rally, which attracted more than 10,000 participants, was held by Chinese education group Dong Zong to protest the shortage of Chinese-educated teachers for Chinese schools.
Despite denials by the organiser and Selangor police, Wee maintains that he was nearly punched during the rally.
In another related development, Dong Zong deputy president Chow Siew Hong told the daily that the organisation would apologise to Wee if there was evidence to show that he had been punched.
Chow reiterated the the video footage recorded that day did not show any assault taking place.
Nevertheless, Dong Zong would screen the complete footage to the relevant quarters.
Another Chinese daily, China Press, reported that Kajang police, which has received five police reports on the incident, would summon four reporters today to record their statements on the matter.
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