'Hisham and his keris' remark shocks Karpal
Malaysiakini.com
Nov 18, 2006

A Umno Youth delegate’s remark asking when its movement chief Hishammuddin Hussein will use the keris (traditional Malay dagger) has annoyed and offended an opposition leader.

DAP chairperson and Bukit Gelugor MP Karpal Singh said he was shocked that such statement was allowed to be made at the Umno Youth annual meet.

Umno Perlis delegate Hashim Suboh was quoted in a New Straits Times report yesterday as saying at the end of the debate on economy and education issues that “Datuk Hisham has unsheathed his keris, waved his keris, kissed his keris. We want to ask Datuk Hisham when is he going to use it?” 

The Perlis delegate made the remark while saying “force must be used against those who refused to abide by the social contract” in relation to Hishammuddin’s alleged weakness in dealing with demands from the Chinese schools.

“The deputy chairperson of the assembly, Badruddin Amiruldin, should have immediately asked for a retraction of such provocative remarks,” Karpal, also a prominent lawyer, said in a statement today.

Disquiet among non-Malays

He demanded Prime Minister and Umno president Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to look into the matter and order the offensive remark to be withdrawn.

The veteran politician added that Hashim’s remark also deserved the attention of the Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan and Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail to ascertain the course of action to be taken.

“(Hashim’s) statements have created concern and disquiet among non-Malays in the country. The statements amount to sedition as they have a seditious tendency,” asserted Karpal.

Two days ago, Karpal described Hishammuddin’s brandish of the keris at this year's Umno Youth assembly as another attempt to use the keris as a “weapon of offense”.

He also said Hishammuddin’s remarks in relation to the jurisdiction of the civil court and syariah court has “committed a contempt of court”.

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