Sungai Besar Umno chief Jamal Md Yunos has explained his defence of the ' Cina babi ' (Chinese pigs) epithet made at the red shirts rally on Sept 16, saying that his remarks had been twisted out of context.

"I never called anyone ' Cina babi '. What I said when I replied to a reporter's question is that I denied that I said ' Cina babi '.

“I only commented, ‘what problems do the Chinese have with pigs?’," he told reporters last night after a dinner function at Sekinchan, Selangor.

It is only the Malays who take offence with pigs as Islam forbids it, he said.

"For example, Malays have no problems with cows. It's just that if you said ' Melayu lembu ' (Malay cows), we would sure get angry.

"It is the same with the Chinese. It's not ' Cina babi ', it's just that the Chinese have no problems with pigs, as most Chinese eat pigs. That's what I meant," he elaborated.

He also asked all parties to not believe any "accusations" on the social media, adding that this includes BN component party, MCA.

MCA had previously urged Jamal to apologise for purportedly saying, "What's the matter, Chinese and pigs?"

The Sungai Besar Umno chief is also considering taking legal action against those who have spread false news against him.

"I want to warn those who have accused and spread false unverified news, some of them will be facing legal action from me," he said.

The red shirt rally on Sept 16 was marred with racial elements, including an incident where rally participants had allegedly called a journalist ' Cina gila babi '.

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