DAP lodges report against Badruddin
Malaysiakini.com
Nov 24, 2006

Opposition party DAP today lodged a police report over remarks made by the deputy permanent chairman of Umno Badruddin Amilrudin two years ago.

DAP Selangor information chief Lau Weng San said in the report that Badruddin had made racial and seditious remarks during the Umno general assembly in 2004.

“During the speech Badruddin waived a book on May 13 incident and spoke to warn the non-Muslims and non-Malays of not to offend the Malay by challenging the special rights of the Malay and the special position of Islam in this country,” said Lau in a statement today.

He also explained that although the incident happened two years ago, it was still important that the police investigate Badruddin, who is also the MP for Jerai, for his offending remarks.

“We also wish that through this police report, the police and the Attorney-General can take action against those whose remarks are hurting the feelings of others and jeopardising our national unity,” he added.

He added that an action against Badruddin will be a lesson for others, especially those from Umno, from not making similar remarks in the future.

Lau lodged the police report at the Petaling Jaya district police headquarters, accompanied by few other party leaders and members.

Police reports and fiery speeches

Recently, remarks made by several Umno delegates in the recently concluded party meeting raised much concern and anxiety in many quarters.

Many had viewed the debates at the assembly to be highly racial in nature.

Lau had previously on Nov 18 lodged another report asking the police to investigate the racially sensitive speeches made by the Umno delegates at their party meeting.

This was followed by a second report by DAP Perak leader Nga Kor Ming on Nov 19 and a third by DAP FT youth leader Kuan Perk Siong on Nov 21.

Among the delegates who hogged the limelight with their fiery speeches include Malacca delegate Hasnoor Sidang Hussein who said that “Umno is willing to risk lives and bathe in blood in defence of race and religion”.

Others like Perlis delegate Hashim Suboh directed a question at Umno Youth chief Hishammuddin Hussein by asking: “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.”

Report to parliament

Meanwhile opposition leader Lim Kit Siang said the two-year time lag between Badruddin’s remarks and the police report was not an issue as there is no time-bar for the criminal offence of sedition.

He also said that he expected a complete report on the police action taken to be given in parliament on Dec. 7.

“All the cases involved are very straightforward cases which do not require long hours of investigation. All the evidence are easily available as they had been beamed to the whole country and the world through live telecast,” he said.

On Wednesday Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak said that several Umno delegates who touched on extreme racial sensitivities during their speeches at the assembly may face action.

Najib said the party had identified several speeches which were deemed “extreme”, and would leave it to the “relevant authorities” to take action. 
    
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