Ex-PKR rep sorry for Facebook post

Former Batu Uban PKR assemblyman S. Raveentharan has apologised to Muslim friends over a controversial post on Facebook.

He had posted a retort to an entry made by Muslim preacher Dr Zakir Naik. Zakir was quoted as saying that “I’m a messenger of peace, my critics are terrorists”.

However, Raveentharan, in reply, wrote: “Firstly, Islam was never a religion of PEACE.”

This prompted Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar to direct the police to call Raveentharan up to explain his post.

Reveentharan then put up another post, which read: “My sincere apologies to all my Muslim friends for my FB posting.”

Raveentharan, when contacted by the New Straits Times yesterday, said he would go to Bukit Aman soon to give his statement, after scheduling an appointment with the police.

He said he did not expect his post to go viral.

“I have posted a sincere apology, but I am willing to explain to the police what I had meant with my post.

“My post was solely in reference to Dr Zakir Naik,” the lawyer added, noting that he has been advised not to say anything further at this juncture.

Checks showed the controversial post has since been removed.

However, Netizens who managed to screenshot the post, had flooded Raveentharan’s Facebook with messages.

Nur Safeena Azamuddin, commenting on Raveentharan’s apology, said: “So irresponsible.”

Edan Morisson wrote: “The only thing I would like to say to you, sir, (is that) you are plain stupid.

“You have convinced me not to vote for Pakatan Harapan. Thanks for showing me your true colors.”

Another Netizen, Sham Ridzuan Khalid, said: “We urge PDRM to take action against this person who has disrupted harmony and affected the perception of Islam.

“Such a post can create chaos in the country. We Malaysians will not accept an apology from such a person. We hope stern action can be taken.”