Penang Malaysian Indian Muslim Congress (Kimma) chairperson Faruk Raja Mohamed claims to have evidence to prove Komtar assemblyperson Ng Wei Aik had uttered a racist remark against a restaurant owner. Faruk said when contacted that he had seen a closed-circuit TV recording of the remark made by Ng, but declined to allow journalists to view it until he had discussed the matter with Kimma members.
"We have the proof and I have seen the recording myself," he told Malaysiakini.Kimma had planned to hold a demonstration today outside a mosque, on Jalan Macalister and close to Komtar, but put it off at the eleventh hour, after a discussion with its members."We will instead go to Komtar peacefully and hand over a memorandum to Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, to urge him to take action on Ng," said Farouk.
He said Kimma would consult its lawyers on how to proceed with its case, since Ng today lodged a police report against Kimma."It is his right to lodge a police report... we will consult our lawyers to see how we can respond to that," he said. "If we get a summons from Ng, we will see him in court," Faruk added.
Ng accused of 'acting aggressively'
Last Sunday, the owner of Nasi Kandar Mohamed Aliyar restaurant, Syed Kassali Mohamed Aliyar, 42, accused Ng of telling his outlet supervisor, Mohamed Ali Maidin Shah, 35, to "balik India" (go back to India).He visited the premises that night with a team of Penang municipal council enforcement following an accident involving two vehicles that had occurred near the restaurant about an hour earlier.
Ng was said to have acted aggressively towards the supervisor, and told him to "balik India".
Since the news hit the streets three days later, several Barisan Nasional leaders have condemned Ng for his alleged remark.
State MIC chairperson PK Subbaiyah said Ng's alleged remark was unacceptable and this showed he was insensitive to the people's feelings.Gerakan vice-president and state chairperson Dr Teng Hock Nan urged Lim to conduct an investigation to ascertain whether Ng had truly uttered the remark.
Northeast district police chief ACP Gan Kong Meng told reporters that police were investigating the matter under Section 41 (B) of the Sedition Act and Section 506 of the Penal Code for criminal intimidation.Speaking to reporters after lodging his report, Ng reiterated that he never uttered the words tutup kedai, balik India (close shop, go back to India), saying the words never crossed his mind.
He said he was at the restaurant that night "to understand the situation", not to cause havoc.
"I urge the police to investigate the matter... I have witnesses like the Penang municipal councillor and journalists who were present at the time," he said. "I believe this has been planned, as the matter cropped up three days after the incident."
'Produce CCTV footage if you have it'
Lawyer and Seri Delima assemblyperson RSN Rayer warned that Kimma, the restaurant owner and "whoever plays up this issue", including newspapers, would be slapped with defamation suits.He said a notice of demand to Kimma to retract its accusation and apologise would be sent on Monday.
"We will initiate legal action against all those who make such false allegations against Ng with malicious intent," Rayer said. "Do not use this issue for political mileage... especially when you were not at the scene.
On the CCTV recording claim, he called on those with the footage to produce it.
"The restaurant has been operating without a licence (since May this year)... when the accident occurred near it, we had to take action as a responsible government," he added.
Meanwhile, municipal councillor Tay Leong Seong said he was with Ng during the incident last Sunday and confirmed that the allegation against the assemblyperson was baseless.Tay said Ng entered the restaurant, together with him, and asked to meet with the "boss" and that the restaurant workers told them the boss was unavailable."They were rather uncooperative and quite rude to Ng," Tay added.
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