KUALA LUMPUR: Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, P Waytha Moorthy, has demanded that Pasir Salak Member of Parliament (MP) Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman sincerely apologise for his ‘insulting’ remark on holy ash worn by a Hindu MP in the Dewan Rakyat.
In a statement last night, Waytha Moorthy said that as an MP, Tajuddin should be more knowledgeable about the seriousness of his remarks to Jelutong MP, RSN Rayer.
“The holy ash is divine and sacred to Hindus, all over the world. His comments are very insulting to the community. To totally understand the religious practice of other races and other religious beliefs is a must for a person of his (stature),” he said.
Waytha Moorthy demanded that Tajuddin openly apologise to Rayer and the Indian community immediately.
He also expressed his support for the proposed action by Human Resources Minister M Kula Segaran to refer Tajuddin to the Parliament’s Rights and Privileges Committee on the matter.
“Insults to any religion or ethnic group should never be uttered in the new Malaysia, especially by an experienced Member of Parliament such as the Pasir Salak MP. I hope he apologises to all Hindus in Malaysia and especially to Rayer sincerely”, he added.
On Tuesday, Tajuddin was suspended for two days from the Dewan Rakyat after he had repeatedly asked Rayer during a sitting if he was “wearing former communist leader Chin Peng’s ashes on his forehead.” – Bernama