DAP Youth chief: Recalcitrant Razman apologised to Nga to avoid lawsuit

DAP Youth chief Woo Kah Leong posited that state PAS chief Razman Zakaria only apologised to Nga Kor Ming out of fear of getting sued.

The Pasir Bedamar assemblyperson said this is as Razman was still unrepentant when confronted last week about his false claim that Nga was involved in the controversial procession in Teluk Intan in October.

Razman had been critical of Chinese nationals waving the China flag at the procession and called for Nga to be probed on the matter.

“Even though Razman tried to act like a hero (when confronted in the Perak legislature) and did not apologise then - and even tried to disrupt my remarks - but in the end he had to retract and apologise.

“Maybe he only did so after receiving a letter from (Nga’s) lawyer,” he said in a statement last night.

Nga - who was not present at the controversial procession - had previously threatened to sue Razman over the matter.

Yesterday the Perak PAS chief made an unreserved apology to the housing and local government minister, and admitted that his claims were false.

Woo noted that it is not the first time Razman was forced to apologise for his statements after getting slapped with lawsuits.

"(Razman had) committed slander many times, used racial rhetoric, and caused chaos even though he had lost several defamation suits," he said.

Woo added that Razman should at least get the minister's name right in his apology. Nga's name was misspelt as "Nga Kor Meng" in the PAS leader's statement of apology.

‘Irresponsible leadership’

Meanwhile, Perak Amanah Youth deputy chief Ahmad Munzirie Ahmad Kabir said he welcomed Razman's apology but that the issue must not be taken lightly.

He similarly pointed out that PAS leaders had several times in the past only apologised for making slanderous statements after being threatened with legal action.

"They repeatedly make accusations and spread hate, and then only apologise when sued.

"This attitude is worrying as it reflects irresponsible leadership," Munzirie said, noting that such false narratives could cause tensions in Malaysia's multi-racial society.

He added that it is unfortunate that certain political leaders are willing to sacrifice racial harmony to promote their narrow-minded agendas.

"PAS needs to stop exploiting racial sentiments as political issues as it will only harm the country in the long term."