BTN man’s remarks ‘misinterpreted’, says Perkasa
By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal, The Malaysian Insider
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 4 — Perkasa claimed today that remarks made by a National Civics Bureau (BTN) official had been “misinterpreted” by news reports as being racist.
Perkasa Youth chief Arman Azha Abu Hanifah said he had accompanied BTN deputy director Hamim Husain to lodge a police report against The Malaysian Insider for “misinterpreting” the contents of his speech during a Puteri Umno function last week.
“He (Hamim) had lodged a report against the reporter and the news company for entering a private function, as well as misinterpreting what he had said,” claimed Arman.
Hamim was seen earlier at the Sentul district police station here, but refused to comment or speak to reporters about the report he had made.
“Perkasa stands firm with Hamim. He is not wrong with what he said… it was said during a private closed-door function. Media has to respect when it is a private function. If you report about what was said privately, you are jeopardising the country’s racial harmony,” said Arman.
Malay rights group Perkasa has been defending the remarks made by the BTN official, claiming that the issue had been blown out of proportion.
Last week Hamim, during a closed-door Puteri Umno function, referred to the Chinese and Indian communities as “Si Mata Sepet” and “Si Botol” respectively when asking Puteri Umno members to approach the non-Malays for votes.
