By Media Selangor Team
SHAH ALAM, Sept 2 — A Selangor state executive councillor has condemned a Perak opposition lawmaker for linking a recent viral incident to a specific ethnic group, calling the statement irresponsible, racist, and a threat to public harmony.
State executive councillor human resources and poverty eradication Papparaidu Veraman said as an elected representative, the individual should set a good example for the people, and not issue misleading statements that could stir up racial hatred.
"It must be emphasised that linking an entire ethnic group to an incident is unfair and dangerous. It can create the impression that the whole community is responsible, even though the matter involves only certain individuals,” he said in a statement today.
While Papparaidu did not mention any name, his statement was in reference to Perikatan Nasional's Manjoi state assemblyman Mohd Hafez Sabri, who posted on Facebook claiming that the woman who ran towards Sultan Nazrin Shah during the Perak state-level National Day celebration was Chinese.
Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Datuk Kumar Muthuvelu said yesterday the claim was false as the suspect was a 41-year-old Malay woman.
Papparaidu, who is also the co-chairman of the Committee of Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Sikh, and Tao Religions in Selangor (Limas), urged all quarters not to speculate and to provide space to the authorities to investigate the matter.
"Information about the perpetrator and the background of the individual involved, whether sane or otherwise, must be established based on professional investigation or examination, not rushed political statements.
"I advise all parties, especially community leaders and elected representatives, to practice tabayyun, which is to verify facts and ensure the accuracy of information before making any statements.
"Never gamble with the unity of the people, which we have upheld for 68 years of independence and only recently celebrated, for the sake of narrow political interests."
Papparaidu reminded all elected representatives to exercise caution in their words and statements, stressing that any remarks touching on race, religion, or the monarchy must be made with full responsibility and never in a manner that stirs public unease.
In the August 31 incident, a woman had rushed onto the stage and attempted to attack Sultan Nazrin Shah before being restrained by security personnel.
She has been remanded for three days, and the case is being investigated under Section 325 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing grievous hurt and Section 511 of the Penal Code for attempting to commit an offence.
As for the spread of the false information, investigations have commenced under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code for statements likely to cause public alarm and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for improper use of network facilities or services.
