Ten police reports lodged against Tajuddin over his 'ashes' remark

Ten police reports have been lodged against Pasir Salak MP Tajuddin Abdul Rahman over his remark in Parliament yesterday.

Led by Bagan Dalam assemblyperson Satees Muniandy, Penang DAP Socialist Youth and NGO members lodged the reports in Butterworth today, urging the police to probe and act against Tajuddin over his alleged seditious remark.

While arguing with Jelutong MP RSN Rayer, Tajuddin had allegedly asked if the holy ash on Rayer's forehead was the late Chin Peng’s ashes.

"It is a clear insult against the practice of Hindus," Satees said after filing his police report.

Tajuddin later denied insulting Hindus, saying he was just referring to Rayer when making the comment.

But Satees said Tajuddin had indeed made the remark against the practice of Hindus, and not just Rayer.

"Tajuddin knowingly, and purposely made the comment, and repeated it again, despite knowing it’s the wrong thing to say.

"Tajuddin’s comments are clearly seditious and the remark promotes ill will and hostility between different races and classes in our multiracial, multireligious Malaysian society," said Satees.

Satees (above) pointed out that Tajuddin's act can be classified as an action with seditious tendency according to Section 3(1)(e) & 4(1)(b) of Sedition Act 1948.

He said perhaps Tajuddin was under the impression that he is safe to utter such words.

"He cannot hide behind parliamentary immunity which he enjoys as an MP.

"Tajuddin’s comment should not be considered a speech protected by immunity, as Article 63(4) clearly stipulates parliamentary speech privilege is not subscribed to any act that is considered an offence under Sedition Act 1948," said Satees.

"In such circumstances, I hope the police and the Attorney-General’s Chambers will make a right decision, and charge Tajuddin (above) in the court of law," he added.

Satees also expressed his disappointment towards the Dewan Rakyat Speaker’s handling of the situation, saying Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof did not take the matter seriously.

According to Satees, Ariff allowed the Pasir Salak MP to "get away scot-free" when the latter retracted his statement.

"Contrary to the reports in media, Tajuddin was never suspended for his comments about Hindu practice.”

However, Tajuddin (above) and Kota Melaka MP Khoo Poay Teong were told to leave the House, when both defied the Speaker’s order to sit.

"Tajuddin was not punished for his insulting remarks about Hindus religious practice, because ‘he retracted’ those words.

"Will this be precedence, where people will be let off scot-free after insulting religions in Parliament, once they retract their statements later?" Satees asked.

"The Speaker should have taken stern action against Tajuddin (above)."

Satees recalled an incident in 2009, when Puchong MP Gobind Singh was suspended for one year from Parliament, for merely uttering the word “murderer”.

He had then allegedly directed a personal remark addressed to then deputy prime minister Najib Abdul Razak.

"Will the Dewan Rakyat see a motion to suspend Pasir Salak MP for his uncouth behaviour in the noble House?".

Satees said Malaysians are watching MPs like Tajuddin as only last week, another MP escaped punishment after allegedly using obscene language in the Dewan Rakyat.

The DAP assemblyperson asked if this is a trend in the current parliament, where opposition MPs, in particular BN MPs, are lowering the standard of Parliament with their "low-class conduct".

"I hope the House Speaker will be sterner with such MPs who are insulting the honour of our highest democratic institute," Satees said.

Meanwhile, in Selangor, lawyer V Vemal Arasan today filed a similar report against Tajuddin.

In the report sighted by Malaysiakini, Vemal stated it is in regard to Tajuddin "intentionally and repeatedly insulting Rayer by saying that the ‘vibuthi' (sacred ash) on the latter’s forehead is Chin Peng's ashes."

The report was lodged at the Klang Selatan district police headquarters. - Mkini