Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy is upset over a seemingly “racial” remark from a participant at a dialogue hosted by Penang Forum on the two disasters - floods on Sept 15 and Tanjung Bungah landslide which killed 11 on Oct 21.

Ramasamy said the remark seemed to imply that DAP elected representatives could have been “busy” at Deepavali open houses instead of attending the event held on Chulia Street yesterday.

“What is wrong in attending open houses? Are Hindu or cultural festivals not important? You mean to say people who are attending Hindu festivals have no concern for the environment?” Ramasamy asked, citing the remark which was published in a Malaysiakini report yesterday.

“Is this a life and death thing that everybody has to attend whenever NGOs call for a meeting? This is really contemptuous towards the Indian community,” he added.

DAP too busy?

Yesterday, Tanjung Court Condominium residents association ad-hoc committee spokesperson K Suthakar criticised several YBs (Yang Berhormat), especially the respective MP and assemblyperson for the area, Ramkarpal Singh and Yeoh Soon Hin respectively, for being absent at the dialogue.

When Suthakar remarked that the DAP reps could have been too busy to attend the event, a member of the audience remarked “attending Deepavali open houses”, while another quipped “bulls**t”.

Suthakar, who is also regional editor of The Star based in Penang, said the assemblypersons could only be seen during the election season, but would disappear after obtaining votes, and reappear when the next election is around the corner.

He also said yesterday’s dialogue was a people’s event and the elected representatives should have been present to hear their constituencies views on how to address the flood and landslide problems.

Pulau Tikus assemblyperson Yap Soo Huey was the sole DAP rep who attended the event, while PKR was represented by Cheah Kah Peng (Kebun Bunga), Norlela Ariffin (Penanti) and Lee Khai Loon (Machang Bubok).

State opposition leader Jahara Hamid, Umno assemblypersons Muhammad Farid Saad Pulau Betong) and Shah Headan Ayoob Hussain Shah (Teluk Bahang), and state BN chief Teng Chang Yeow were at the forum.

“There is also enough acrimony between Penang Forum and the state government, including me, but I have only told them to join a political party if they want to topple the current state government,” Ramasamy said.

Ramasamy had described the NGOs as “arrogant” for planning to topple the state government due to its policy on hillslope development.

Ramasamy admitted that he had various appointments yesterday, including invitations to attend Deepavali open houses.

“Do they mean we are just giving excuses not to attend the meeting by saying we are attending Deepavali open houses? What about attending Aidilfitri celebrations?

"Why attack the minority community; are Indian festivals not important that we have nothing to do but attend open houses?” he added.

Editor or BN spokesperson?

Meanwhile, Ramasamy also questioned Suthakar’s work ethics as an editor of a newspaper, when he allegedly “took sides” against the state government.

“Is he a member of an NGO or BN coalition, or is he an editor of a newspaper who is objective? He cannot have the best of both worlds,” Ramasamy said.

“He should not be serving the BN agenda. He seems clearly with BN now, and threatening to bring down (the) Pakatan Harapan government.

“Perhaps, he should be a candidate, would he join Gerakan, MIC, Indian People’s Front or Malaysian People’s Progressive Party?” Ramasamy asked.

Ramasamy added that if Suthakar had wanted to meet with the state elected representatives or state executive councillors, he could have visited them in Komtar as he has access to them as a media representative.

“Just a small meeting and he makes it as if it is the most earth shaking meeting in the world that all must attend.

“And if we do not attend we are not fit to hold public post? What kind of garbage is this?” Ramasamy asked.