Call on Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal to condemn latest criminal harassment against Teresa Kok

Press Statement by M Kula Segaran, DAP National Vice Chairman and MP for Ipoh Bart in Ipoh on Friday, March 7, 2014

Call on Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal to condemn latest criminal harassment against Teresa Kok 

On Thursday, after DAP MP for Seputeh Teresa Kok had explained her video “Onederful Malaysia CNY 2014″ at a ceramah in Penang, a man wanted to shake her hand.

When Kok extended her hand and shook his, she realised that he held an egg in his palm which broke, soiling her hand and a little spilled on her clothes.

This criminal harassment against Teresa must be condemned.

The act must not be viewed lightly as the man had been so bold to come to an opposition ceramah and so close to Teresa.

I call on Umno leaders especially the Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Rural Development Minister Datuk Shafie Apdal to condemn the harassment in the strongest term.

Zahid disappointed and angered Malaysians when he had last month dismissed the “cash for slapping Teresa” threat  made by the self styled “Council of Islamic NGOs”.

"Why do we need to investigate that? Slapping is not a threat. If they say murder, then it is a threat," he was reported as saying; adding action would only be taken if the act were carried out.

Zahid’s comments would have the effect of emboldening extremists who are out to challenge the laws.
I certainly hope that he will not this time respond and say that only an egg was broken.

It is most irresponsible for some people to twist the content of Teresa’s satirical video.

 It is also most unfair that those who have wrongly accused her chose to remain silent when they have found out the truth.  

Last month, Urban and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal has wrongly accused the video of ridiculing Malaysian security forces in the Lahad Datu invasion.

Since Teresa’s video did not touch on Malaysian security forces or the Lahad Datu incident, Shafie should have been courageous enough to at least retract his accusation.

It is insufficient for him just to remain silent  after having wrongly accused Teresa.

Both Zahid and Shafie should condemn the latest criminal harassment against Teresa.