Perak Umno man denies threatening Waytha's aide, claims video 'doctored'

A Perak Umno leader has denied claims of alleged threats made against the political secretary to Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department P Waythamoorthy, saying that a video clip of the alleged incident earlier this week was "edited" to portray him in a bad light.

According to The Malaysian Insight, Umno Tapah branch committee member Syed Afzarizal Syed Salim said he was merely trying to hand P Muniandy a letter of protest for Waythamoorthy over the government's efforts to ratify the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (Icerd).

"I had already received instructions from the police not to touch (the aide) and to just hand over the letter," Syed Afzarizal was quoted as saying.

Referring to a five-minute video of the incident which he claimed was edited, Syed Afzarizal denied he had attempted to block Muniandy's car from exiting a school.

"I was not stopping the car. I was waiting at the front gate to hand him the protest note.

"He insisted on driving on, so I stood my ground near the gate," Syed Afzarizal was quoted as saying.

The incident reportedly took place at the front gate of SK Datuk Kelana school in Tapah, Perak, on Monday.

Syed Afzarizal further said he was warned of arrest by the police in the event of any unwarranted physical contact with Muniandy.

"I gave my assurance that I wouldn’t touch him, I would only give him the letter," he added.

'Dark history'

Muniandy had on Wednesday lodged a police report against Syed Afzarizal who had allegedly warned Waythamoorthy to not threaten the special rights of Malays and Islam.

According to The Malaysian Insight, Syed Afzarizal is heard in the video as saying there has been "enough of a dark history with May 13, 1969. Don’t let there be any other nonsense".

Syed Afzarizal, meanwhile, said he has also filed a counter report on the incident and offered to fully cooperate with police investigations.

“I have also lodged a police report on the incident, saying I did not make threats or do anything.

“I have the proof with me. The video was edited by irresponsible parties. The complete video is with me," he reportedly insisted.

Waythamoorthy's push for the government to ratify Icerd has triggered severe backlash not only from Umno and PAS as the two largest Malay-Muslim parties, but also from Harapan components Bersatu, Amanah and PKR.

Ahead of a planned anti-Icerd rally led by PAS and Umno in Kuala Lumpur on Dec 8, Waythamoorthy told the Dewan Rakyat on Monday that Putrajaya will hold engagement sessions with all stakeholders beginning the first quarter of next year, before making its final decision on Icerd's ratification. - Mkini