Zambry: Billboard vandalism disrespectful

(The Star) SERI MANJUNG: The vandalising of a billboard carrying the Perak Mentri Besar’s Hari Raya wishes is disrespectful to the holy month of Ramadan, said Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir.

He said he was saddened by the incident as Ramadan is a month where people should purify their soul.

“We cannot do acts that would dirty our soul this month. If they do it in the holy month, they will do it at any time of the year,” he said at a Hari Raya open house gathering here yesterday.

According to Malay belief, the month of Ramadan is so holy that “syaitan pun kena rantai” (Even the devil would be bound).

Dr Zambry was commenting on the billboard being smeared with red paint last Wednesday.

Duit Raya for children: Dr Zambry (blue baju Melayu) and his wife Datin Seri Saripah Zulkifli giving duit Raya to children at the Ramadan open house in Seri Manjung yesterday.

He said he did not want to accuse anyone but believed there were groups targeting Barisan Nasional leaders, adding that a billboard featuring Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was also not spared in Bagan Datoh. Dr Zambry said the act of forgiveness was the one “secret” that unites people. He said that people should always learn to forgive and forget, especially in the month of Ramadan, adding that even leaders should apologise for their wrongdoing.

“There is a saying that leaders should not apologise for their actions. I am also human and I will err. I will ask forgiveness from the public if I have done or said something wrong,” he added.