Coming under intense criticism over Umno Youth's protest outside the DAP headquarters yesterday, the wing's chief, however, indicated that he is still in control.

Speaking to reporters in Putrajaya today, Khairy Jamaluddin argued that leaders cannot be blamed for what transpires on the ground.

"Can a political leader (be) able to control and rein in their members at the actual venue of the demonstration?

"I can give you many examples of demonstrations that were organised or supported by opposition parties in which they were not able to rein in their members and supporters," he said.

Khairy drew parallels to the PKR elections, stating: “(PKR supremo) Anwar (Ibrahim) could not rein in his members from throwing chairs and physically assaulting supporters from the other side.”

However, the youth and sports minister also disclosed that he has advised Umno Youth members to calm down and exercise restraint.

“I have had a word with my boys and I told them to stand down and there is not to be anything any more,” he said.

Khairy concedes ‘excessive behaviour’

Earlier today, Khairy’s counterpart, MCA Youth chief Chong Sin Woon, urged him to bring his members under control and keep them calm.

Khairy revealed that he was aware of the two protests prior to them happening and stressed they were “justified” but did not condone the things that went “wrong” during the protests.

“When I was asked by Umno Youth (in Penang) and also (in the) Federal Territories whether they can send a memorandum and demonstrate in front of the Penang state assembly and DAP headquarters...

“I said of course, we have the right to assemble and the right to let our views be known... Unfortunately, in both cases, events took a turn for - what I would term as - excessive behaviour,” he said.

Elaborating, Khairy said such unfortunate incidents sometimes happen in a tense situation.

“In the heat of the moment, when there is a crowd, things get out of hand,” he said.

Nonetheless, Khairy said, DAP too must shoulder the blame for the incidents.

“I hope DAP will understand where this has come from. The demonstrations did not occur in isolation.

“They occurred because of an insulting remark by one of their state assemblypersons,” he said.

In the Penang state assembly earlier this week, DAP’s Seri Delima assemblyperson RSN Rayer labelled three Umno leaders “celaka” (damned) over a January protest that threatened another May 13 racial riot.

The unflattering remark prompted an angry response from Penang Umno Youth, which protested outside the state assembly, before barging into the august House on Wednesday.

Yesterday, FT Umno Youth members held a protest outside the DAP headquarters, at which where they tore down the party’s signboard.

Khairy reiterated Umno Youth’s demand for Rayer to apologise for his remark, which he described as “extreme provocation”.

“The manner he said this was calculated and deliberately aimed at provoking our members,” he added.

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