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PAS questions status of probes into 'Ramasamy and rifle', 4 others
Published:  Aug 27, 2019 12:38 PM
Updated: 4:38 AM

PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man has urged the government and police to reveal the status of investigations into four DAP leaders and senator P Waythamoorthy.

Despite numerous police reports lodged against the five, he said, there is still no decision on the cases.

“The people deserve to know the development (of the investigations) so that it (the authorities) are seen to be fair and transparent,” he added in a statement this morning.

Topping Tuan Ibrahim's list was Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy, whom he noted had been linked to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam (LTTE).

He also recalled a photograph depicting the DAP leader “engaged in the ritual of worshipping a Kalashnikov” assault rifle.

When the image surfaced last year, Ramasamy denied having links with the LTTE or promoting violence by "worshipping" the Kalashnikov.

He claimed that the photograph was taken at a memorial to victims of genocide.

"It was a ceremony I attended about two or three years ago, organised by several NGOs… a memorial service for those who died in the Sri Lankan ethnic conflict or victims of genocide,” he said.

Second on Tuan Ibrahim's list was Human Resources Minister M Kulasegaran. This was over the allegation that he referred to the Malays as “pendatang” (immigrants) during a speech in Tamil last July.

The DAP lawmaker later claimed that his statements were misconstrued and apologised.

The third case for which Tuan Ibrahim sought updates on concerned Waythamoorty and a video in which the latter criticised the alleged discrimination against ethnic minorities, particularly Malaysian Indians.

Close to 200 police reports were lodged against the senator last November over the matter.

However, the minister, whose portfolio includes national unity and social well-being, said the video was an interview with a Dutch TV, which took place shortly after the Hindraf rally in November 2007.

The fourth person in the PAS leader's crosshairs was Selangor exco member V Ganabatirau, who had accused a “Muslim” group of attacking the Seafield Maha Mariamman temple last November.

The DAP assemblyperson later apologised for the remark.

"We have to acknowledge that all this violence stemmed from a group.

"However, after receiving the advice of many, especially the government and opposition, I have changed my statement from a 'Muslim group' to a 'group of gangsters'.

"I wish to apologise if I offended anyone,” he had said.

Last on the list was DAP lawmaker Kasthuri Patto, who courted flak with her social media posting asking, “Are children the entertainment?” in response to the PAS-led Kelantan state government banning entertainment outlets in the state.

In justifying her remark, the Batu Kawan MP later pointed to the Kelantan state government stating that child marriages were necessary in the state.

However, she later apologised for the post, stating that it was not her intention to “generalise the good women and men in Kelantan” nor to insult the state's religious authorities.

Tuan Ibrahim described the abovementioned five cases as critical.

“This is because the cases touch on the sensitivities of Malaysians and can spark off religious tension. The government and police must provide a comprehensive explanation regarding the cases,” he added.

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