Sungai Besar Umno division leader Jamal Md Yunos has offered a gastronomic argument to counter claims that the term ' Cina Babi ' (Chinese pig) is insulting to the Chinese community.

Asking all quarters not to exploit the matter, he said the term ' babi ' is only offensive to Malays, as consuming pork is forbidden in Islam.

"You need to listen to the whole thing, not just a few words. Don't make that ( Cina Babi ) an issue; for Malays the word pig is sensitive.

"But for the Chinese what is the problem? It is their food," he told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

He was responding to questions on protesters at yesterday's red shirt rally using the term on Chinese reporters.

Journalist group Gerakan Media Marah ( Geramm ) today also released a statement condemning incidents in which reporters are insulted, harrassed, and ridiculed by the rally-goers.

"Crowds also reportedly threatened media personnel during the standoff, hurling sexually tinged words, threats, racial slurs and outright vulgar words," said the group's statement today.

'A Bersih 4 provocation'

Jamal blamed social media for painting a bad picture of their gathering, saying the ralley-goers are not racist.

He also blamed Bersih 4 rally for inciting hatred of the Malays, which he said reflected the crowd and their posters yesterday which he insisted is not racist at all.

"This is provoked by Bersih 4 rally. The 916 rally will not happen if Bersih 4 did not organise a rally which smeared the Merdeka celebration, insulting our race, stepping on our leader's photo; that is why the banners have those words.

"Malays are easy, if we are not attacked. It has been proven as we shared everything since Merdeka," he said.

In the Petaling Street incident yesterday, two policemen were reportedly injured while two participants were arrested.

Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) had to discharge water cannon as the situation got rowdy when several objects where thrown from the side of the crowd.

One rally participant was hurt when a safety cone which was thrown in the air hit him in the head.

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