BUKIT GELUGOR Members of the press received a ticking off today by the DAP for insinuating that it's Bukit Gelugor candidate Ramkarpal Singh is gay.

Ramkarpal's family stated they had felt slighted after a member of the Chinese press directed the question "are you gay?" at the candidate yesterday.

The query arose after Parti Cinta Malaysia candidate Huan Cheng Guan questioned why photos of muscular men were uploaded on Ramkarpal's Facebook page.

"He is 38 and still unmarried, do you feel there is anything wrong with that,” Huan had asked reporters.

Ramkarpal's eldest brother Jagdeep Singh Deo ( left ) said they were surprised when the reporter directed the question at his younger sibling.

He said the by-election is being held less than a month after Karpal's untimely demise on Apr 17, which left the Bukit Gelugor seat vacant.

"Despite that, the press, whom Karpal had so much respect for, failed to execute their duties responsibly by weighing the facts properly," Jagdeep, who is Dato' Keramat assemblyperson said in the state assembly's meeting room today.

"The humiliation which the family has been afflicted as a result of this unfortunate episode, without a doubt proves to be a great slur to Karpal's memory, who held in so high esteem the press core.

"It is hoped by the family, that better restraint will be practised by the members of the press, when attempting to gain mileage with their reports."

Accompanying Jagdeep at the press conference today were Ramkarpal ( right ), Chief Minister and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, Air Itam assemblyperson Wong Hon Wai and state DAP chief Chow Kon Yeow.

Upon being posed such a question, Ramkarpal yesterday denied being homosexual , expressing sadness that the campaign had taken such a turn.

Jagdeep further reminded the press that Karpal had said there are no permanent enemies or friends but there must be permanent principles.

"And that would apply equally to permanent principles of ethical journalism," he quipped.

Jagdeep called for a "clean, fair and gentlemanly fight", asking the press to focus on how to effectively address issues raised by Bukit Gelugor residents, and all Malaysians.

Polling day for the Bukit Gelugor seat is this on May 25, which is this Sunday.

Ramkarpal and Huan are contesting against two other Independent candidates - Abu Backer Sidek Mohammad Zan and Mohamed Nabi Bux Mohd Nabi Sathar.

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