DON'T EXPECT UMNO TO ACT ON 'CELAKA' THUGS: Take action against Rayer first - Jahara

GEORGE TOWN - Umno wants the culprit who triggered extreme provocation which had resulted in an intrusion into the Penang State Assembly on May 21 to be charged under Section 31(e) of the Sedition Act 1948.

Opposition chief Datuk Jahara Hamid said this was apt because the provocative words uttered could threaten and disturb stability, harmony and unity between the communities in the country.

“He (Seri Delima State Assemblyman R S N Rayer) not only mentioned ‘Umno celaka’ in the State Assembly but also uttered it in public while campaigning for the Bukit Gelugor by-election.

“The harsh words hurled at Umno leaders was politically motivated,” she told reporters after attending a Penang Action Council meeting here.

She said this when commenting on the statement by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng in a local daily yesterday urging the Attorney-General to carry out an investigation under Section 121(b) and 123(B) of the Penal Code against the group who intruded into the State Assembly.

She said the group of youths who rushed into the State Assembly building did not intend to create a commotion or disturb the proceeding but only wanted to look for Rayer and to urge him to apologise for his indiscretion in using harsh words when debating the speech of the Penang Governor Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas during the State Assembly sitting.

“They had no intention of committing crime as they did not have any weapon. Furthermore, they came during a break in the proceeding, and I myself had openly apologised on their behalf the next day,” she said.

Asked if Umno would take action if Lim continued his intention for action to be taken against the group, Jahara said: “Yes … but we want action to be taken first on the person who triggered the provocation”. — Bernama