Saddiq claims he was in headlock, but Papagomo says it’s a hug

Bersatu Youth chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman claimed that Umno Youth exco member Papagomo had put him in a headlock and threatened him, during a commotion in Semenyih earlier today.

Papagomo, whose real name is Wan Muhammad Azri Wan Deris, however, claimed that he was only trying to protect Syed Saddiq.

Speaking to the media after lodging a police report on his confrontation with BN supporters in Semenyih, Syed Saddiq said that Wan Muhammad Azri had grabbed him while he was almost at his car.

"At the time, police and PAS' Unit Amal were escorting me (to my car). They (BN supporters) still chased us and followed us.

"About halfway (to the car), suddenly Papagomo came from the right side and used his left arm to forcefully hold me by the neck," Saddiq said while showing a headlock motion.

"I don't know what his intentions to threaten me were (but he said) don't mess with us and don't come near us," he added.

He said he did not reply to Wan Muhammad Azri, and police pushed him away.

When contacted, Wan Muhammad Azri claimed he had actually wanted to protect Syed Saddiq from being assaulted by the supporters, who were going after the minister.

"So I went and hugged him. I saved him. Why would I attack him and sully Umno's name when everyone knows me," he told Malaysiakini.

"I hugged him and said 'You are stupid, bro.' He turned around and said 'Eh, Gomo?'," he added.

He denied putting Syed Saddiq in a chokehold, and said he had only put an arm around his shoulders.

However, despite saying he had tried to save Syed Saddiq, the Umno Youth leader blamed the Bersatu Youth chief for the incident.

"Syed Saddiq purposely wanted to create provocation. Don't make a report just for cheap publicity. People want honesty from him," he said.

Some netizens are blaming Syed Saddiq for causing the incident by purposely walking past BN supporters.

Syed Saddiq's team has denied this.

In a Twitter post later, Wan Muhammad Azri said he would have "kissed" Syed Saddiq if he knew the latter would lodge a police report.

 - Mkini