There was a commotion at the Penang state assembly building today, with protesters shouting and banging the gates over remarks made by a DAP assemblyperson.

 

The protesters, including Penang Perkasa youth chief Rizuad Azuddin, were angry at DAP's Seri Delima assemblyperson RSN Rayer for allegedly saying that Umno is 'celaka' (damned).

 

Among them were members of Umno Youth from Kepala Batas and Tasek Gelugor including state Umno youth deputy chief Jasmin Noordin, and Ahmad Yaakob, spokesperson for Gabungan Pelajar-Pelajar Melayu Semenanjung (Federation of Malay Students).

 

"If you (Rayer) have balls, say those remarks again," Ahmad shouted.

 

"Don't hide behind the state assembly, we will find you until we get you, we know where your house is and what is your car," he added.

 

Shouts of "Rayer 'bangsat', pariah," were heard during the protest, as well as cries of "Hidup Melayu" and "Allahu Akhbar".

 

Some even made it into the assembly building, while others called Rayer a "racist" from outside the gates.

 

The protesters also brought with them eggs to pelt at the assemblyperson, who was not around.

Due to the vigorous shaking and pushing, the gates, are now slightly damaged and cannot close properly.

The police had to hold on to it to prevent protestors from barging in.

 

The crowd later calmed down after George Town OCPD Mior Faridalatrash appeared and got them to move across the road, away from the state assembly.

 

By that time, there were several police personnel around but no arrests were made.

 

Later about 4pm, state Opposition leader Jahara Hamid met the group, assuring them Rayer would be asked to officially apologise in the Dewan.

 

"The word 'celaka' is unacceptable," said the Teluk Ayer Tawar assemblyperson as the crowd cheered her on.

 

Accompanying Jahara were assemblymen Muhammad Farid Saad (Pulau Betong) and Roslan Saidin (Pinang Tunggal).

 

Rayer ( left ) at the state legislative assembly sitting yesterday, had directed the 'celaka' remark to BN's Kepala Batas MP Reezal Naina Merican.

 

"Reezal Merican 'celaka'! The Malays who  attended the gathering themed 'Upholding Islam and defending Malays' in Sunway City, Seberang Jaya, are 'celaka'!" Rayer had roared.

 

Rayer was referring to the January event where Reezal, several Umno leaders and about 600 others gathered to condemn PKR's Machang Bubuk assemblyperson Lee Khai Loon over Lee's kangkung flash mob .

The participants had then carried banners reading "May 13 happened because of DAP, want some more?"

However Umno has denied that it was responsible for the banners.

 

According to the protesters today, the remarks by Rayer were offensive to the Malays.

 

In a text message circulated this morning, they said: "Rayer is very arrogant and rude to have issued such remarks repeatedly and is full of hatred towards Malays and Muslims".

 

"Saying Umno ‘celaka’ means saying it to Malays and their race. It also means Islam ‘celaka’," the text message read.

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