The Penang Barisan Nasional committee does not condone the statements made by opposition leader Azhar Ibrahim in the state assembly yesterday which resulted in him being referred to the Rights and Privileges Committee.

State BN secretary Hilmi Yahaya said this stand was decided upon at a meeting this morning at the BN state office.

penang state assembly 201108 azhar ibrahim He said Azhar ( left ) had clarified the matter to the committee and expressed regret over his statements .

Hilmi said Azhar (Umno-Penaga) had also retracted his statements immediately at the assembly and this had been accepted by the House.

"He has also informed the BN committee that he was provoked and instigated (during) the assembly's debates right from day one, even by the chief minister," said Hilmi, who was former Penang deputy chief minister.

"It is (Lim) Guan Eng's tactic to gain political mileage in the upcoming Sibu by-election," he added.

Hilmi (Umno-Teluk Bahang) said BN Penang would like to remind Lim and all parties to stop playing racial politics.

Koh: it's Pakatan's fault

Meanwhile, Gerakan president Koh Tsu Koon strongly criticised Azhar for referring to the May 13 race riots, and to army takeovers and possible retaliation by thugs.

"(It is done) in a manner that has been perceived as undue and uncouth threats in the assembly yesterday," said Koh, who is minister in the prime minister's department.

koh tsu koon 110310 press conference However, Koh ( right ) also slammed Lim and other DAP leaders for repeatedly making harsh and crude attacks and allegations against the BN federal leadership and federal agencies on every matter discussed.

He said such attacks totally negate what the BN and the Malaysian people have achieved together over the past five decades.

The former Penang CM reminded Lim that he was now the chief minister and should focus on state matters in his winding-up speech, rather than behaving like an opposition leader against the BN.

Koh acknowledges that Azhar was defending his party against verbal attacks by the Pakatan leaders, but added that he had gone overboard in a "negative and destructive manner".

"He (Azhar ) has thus opened himself to further attacks by the opposing side, and damaged BN's image as a moderate coalition for all Malaysians," he added.

‘Azhar negative and destructive'

"Although he may have genuine concern about potential adverse reactions from the Malays and Umno members towards DAP's repeated provocations, he should not have expressed himself in a threatening manner," said Koh.

"He should have countered with convincing arguments, rather than losing his temper," he said, adding that he had called Azhar on the phone to express his disapproval of the latter's actions.

Koh reminded Azhar that he should have had better control of himself as the leader of the BN opposition in Penang, advising him to respond to criticism in a ‘cool, controlled and cogent manner' so as not to ‘lose the hearts of the people.'

Yesterday pandemonium erupted in the Penang state legislative assembly when Azhar warned that there would be a repeat of the May 13 riots if the people lose confidence in the authorities.

He said this in connection with the public outcry over the fatal shooting of teenager Aminulrasyid Amzah, saying that the army can take over from the police if the latter did not enjoy public support.

He also lambasted Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng's constant criticism of Umno for being corrupt.

Azhar's outburst marks the pinnacle of a turbulent state assembly session which saw him and other BN leaders attacking the Penang CM over the Bukit Jambul Country Club resort manager tender.