Malay mainstream dailies today continued to highlight statements of Pakatan leaders that condemned Perak DAP chief Ngeh Koo Ham for  his controversial Twitter message in relation to the American film ‘Innocence of Muslims'.

NONE However, Ngeh ( right ) has stood his ground, claiming that many PAS leaders actually support him.

Umno-owned Utusan Malaysia today dedicated its frontpage to Ngeh, for the second consecutive day, with statements from PAS leaders including Kedah commissioner cum Menteri Besar Azizan Abdul Razak, Johor commissioner Mahfodz Mohamed and former Penang youth chief Mohamed Hafiz Mohamed Nordin.

Azizan said Ngeh's attitude did not reflect the characteristics of a leader while Mahfodz slammed the message, saying it had hurt the feelings of the Muslim community.

Berita Harian quoted PKR youth chief Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin as saying that Ngeh should apologise for the Twitter message.

PKR vice-president Fuziah Salleh described the statement as "an insult to Islam".

"I quite don't agree when a DAP leader is able to issue a statement that insults Islam. We should unite on this issue and not insult other religions," she was quoted by Sinar Harian .

PAS vice-president told the Malay daily that Ngeh's remark was not appropriate.

Even DAP deputy-chairperson Dr Tan Seng Giaw said that Ngeh should not have made the statement.

"I advise the Perak DAP chief not to touch on issues related to Islam because it can hurt the feelings of Muslims in this country," he told Sinar Harian .

Demand for apology declined

However, Berita Harian reported that Ngeh has declined the demand for an apology, arguing that the issue of apology did not arise as he was merely asking a question.

khairy jamaluddin bn youth volunteers 240612 The Beruas MP sparked an uproar after he, in his Twitter account, questioned Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar's call for Muslims to protest against the filmmaker of ‘Innocence of Muslims'.

"Khairy ( left ) wants Muslims (to) protest against Sam Bacile. For Islam or for his political gains? Are Muslims wasting too much time and energy on this?"

He later explained that he is not anti-Islam and his intention was to call on the public to rethink whether it is worth the effort to spend time and energy to protest the film.

Today Ngeh, again in his Twitter account, accused local English daily The Star of not publishing his comments on the issue.

" Star interviewed me on my tweet but not a single word of my clarification (had been) reported. (It) only reported attacks against me. Truly biased."

He also thanked Muslims ,especially those from PAS, who contacted him and encouraged him not to succumb to the pressure from Umno.

"A friend in need is a friend indeed. Very touched by PAS leaders who stand by me to fight the evil scheme of Umno," he tweeted.

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