GEORGE TOWN: Jelutong Umno Youth has denied claims that it had used racial sentiment to fight the opposition’s candidate for the Jelutong parliamentary seat R.S.N. Rayer in the 14th General Election.
Jelutong Umno Youth chief Jasmin Nordin said he had instead put up a banner with the very words Rayer allegedly uttered in the state legislative assembly four years ago.
He said the banner had no slanderous elements or threat against Rayer or his family, rather a reminder to the voters in the area.
“It is a symbolic gesture to inform that Rayer is not welcomed by the Malay community in Jelutong. This is because he had allegedly uttered ‘Celaka Umno’ (damn Umno) during his speech in the state assembly.
“His words were an insult to the Malays and Islam as Umno is shaded by Malays and Islam. It is to remind him of the words he had allegedly uttered although he denied it,” he told the NSTP when contacted.
Jasmin said he had even printed his name and position on the banner and had nothing to fear.
It is learnt that the banner had been taken down by the local authority after Rayer lodged a police report today.
Prior to this, Rayer, the incumbent for the Seri Delima state seat, had labelled Umno as ‘celaka’ (damn) following a protest towards a peaceful gathering involving the Malay community and Umno leaders in Seberang Jaya, Permatang Pauh.
Rayer was reported as saying “Celaka, celaka ini... celaka, celaka UMNO ini kurang ajar, biadap” (Damn, damn this... damn, damn Umni is uncouth) during the state assembly sitting on May 20, Mei 2014.