Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has hit out at Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak for being "small-minded" in rejecting a DAP's leader apology over his tweet on an anti-Islam film.

Lim said Najib should not be "uncharitable at heart or even small-minded" for doubting Perak DAP chief Ngeh Koo Ham's apology when he had done it publicly and retracted the tweet.

NONE What about BN leaders who had refused to apologise for their own "racist and abusive remarks against Muslims and non-Malays" then, he asked Najib.

Apart from withdrawing his tweet, Ngeh, the Beruas MP, also explained that he had no intention to offend anyone, especially Muslims.

Lim said Ngeh had, in line with the DAP's stand taken on Sept 16, even reiterated his condemnation of the film for belittling Islam,.

"Ngeh's apology proves that Pakatan Rakyat leaders are much more gracious in admitting any mistake," the DAP secretary-general added in his statement issued today.

"(They are) far better compared with BN leaders who never apologise, despite making extremist and baseless lies (against other ethnic communities)," he added.

BN yet to say sorry for...

Lim listed down several instances where BN leaders had refused to apologise, starting with Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin maligning Lim's "innocent and under-aged son by spreading lies that he had sexually molested a non-existent female classmate".

Next, he hit out at Defence Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for reportedly blaming the "lack of patriotism" for the low percentage of non-Malay recruitment in the armed forces.

NONE He also did not spare MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek for his attack on the PAS candidate in the Tenang by-election, Normala Sudirman, as being anti-Chinese for not shaking hands with non-Malay men, despite the fact that she did not shake hands with any male, Muslim or non-Muslim.

"By not offering any apology in these cases, and in many more as well, it is clear that the BN practises double standards," said Lim, who is also Bagan MP.

"It would appear that even when they do wrong, they can do no wrong. At least when Pakatan leaders make mistakes, we apologise and try to improve ourselves," he added.

Lim also condemned the "violent and racist" demonstration against Ngeh, led by Umno in front of the DAP Malacca headquarters, despite Ngeh's apology.

He said Umno remained intent on playing the dangerous game of using baseless lies to exploit racial and extremist sentiments to win votes in the coming general election.