POLICE REPORT LODGED: Representatives from eight NGOs in Pekan district with their police report against Ngeh. — Bernama photo
IPOH: Perak DAP chairman Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham yesterday retracted a Twitter remark and apologised to Muslims offended by his remark questioning the actions of Muslims in protest against an anti-Islam film that has enraged Muslims the world over.
“I retract and apologise to any Muslim who was offended by my tweet as it was never intended to be so,” he said in a statement.
In his Twitter posting, Ngeh allegedly questioned Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin’s intention to stage a protest against the film “Innocence of Muslims”, and inferred whether Muslims were spending too much time and energy on the issue.
The low-budget YouTube movie, directed by Sam Bacile of California and which depicted Prophet Muhammad in a bad light, had sparked violent protests across the Muslim world.
Ngeh said that in the context of the violent protests around the world and the many demonstrations to be held, he had posed the question ‘Are Muslims wasting too much time and energy on this?’.
“I was wondering if too much time and energy have been spent in response to the 13.5-minute video produced by a mad man in the name of Sam Bacile.
“I wanted our society to think deeper with regard to the way we respond to any provocation or issue that confronts us. I have been taught and have always emphasised to the young never to react but always to respond,” he said.
Ngeh said he strongly condemned the video and its producer for belittling the faith/religion of another person and reiterated support for the stand that had been taken by the DAP on the issue.
“I totally support the right of a person to hold peaceful demonstrations. In my 23 years of active political involvement, I have organised scores of demonstrations in Perak,” he said.
In Kota Baharu, Kelantan, MCA vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen described Ngeh’s tweet as unacceptable.
“We need to have proper manners and mutual respect. Whatever we do, we must also think of the consequences.
“Of course, one has the right to make a statement, but one must think of the feelings of others as well. This is unacceptable because it is our joint responsibility to maintain peace in the country,” she told reporters after a meeting with the Kelantan MCA Liaison Committee.
Ng said staging a protest against the United States was not violent and it was unlike what was happening in other countries.
Kota Baharu Umno Division chief and political secretary to the prime minister, Datuk Mohd Fatmi Che Salleh, urged PAS to make an honest statement regarding its cooperation with the DAP following the provocative remark by Ngeh.
“PAS has to make a stand now whether it should continue to cooperate with the DAP,” he told reporters at a goodwill gathering at the Kelantan Sports Council complex.
In Pasir Puteh, Kelantan, over 200 representatives of more than 10 NGOs, led by Jeram Rukun Tetangga chairman Tuan Mustaffa Tuan Mat, lodged a police report against Ngeh at the Pasir Puteh police station.
The NGOs included youth organisations, fishermen’s associations and the Pasir Puteh Umno Youth, Wanita Umno and Puteri Umno wings.
“Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham is insensitive to Muslims who make up the majority of the population in this country,” he said.
Tuan Mustaffa said he feared that Ngeh’s statement could spark inter-racial and inter-religious hostility in the country.
Meanwhile, Cherang Rotan Area Farmers Organisation chairman Tuan Hussin Tuan Abdul Rahman questioned the silence of Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat over Ngeh’s tweet.
He said Nik Aziz should provide an explanation for Ngeh’s statement and his own stand to clear the air.
In Pekan, Pahang, eight NGOs in the Pekan district lodged a police report against Ngeh.
A spokesman for the organisations, Mohd Nazri Abd Kadir, who is chairman of the Pekan 1Malaysia Community Consensus Council, said the report was made to enable the government and the authorities to act against Ngeh. — Bernama