NGOs TO DR M: APOLOGISE FOR BUGIS REMARK OR FACE LEGAL ACTION
30 NGOs submit memorandum to Selangor palace
THIRTY non-governmental organisations (NGOs) yesterday submitted a memorandum to Selangor palace calling for action to be taken against former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad for allegedly making seditious remarks against the Bugis community.
Selangor Movement of NGOs chairman Nazilah Idris said Dr Mahathir should issue a public apology or face legal action for his remarks on Bugis descendants.
“We support the statement by the Selangor Council of the Royal Court that a sedition probe against Dr Mahathir is warranted.
“This statement from Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has sent a strong message that the ruler is angered by and disappointed with Dr Mahathir’s remarks of calling Bugis descendants pirates.
“It shows that the sultan cares for the people and Bugis community in the country,” she said after handing over the memorandum to the palace official at Istana Bukit Kayangan here.
About 50 people representing the NGOs gathered at the palace entrance to support the issuance of the memorandum.
Nazilah said politicians should refrain from making insulting comments against one’s ancestry, race or religion.
“Today, it may be a comment on Bugis people. Tomorrow, there might be negative remarks on other communities.”
On Thursday, Selangor Council of the Royal Court secretary Hanafisah Jais reportedly said Sultan Sharafuddin viewed Dr Mahathir ’s statement with grave concern and disappointment.
She said Dr Mahathir’s statement, delivered at the “Sayangi Malaysia, Hapuskan Kleptokrasi” rally organised by Pakatan Harapan in Petaling Jaya on Oct 14, was aimed at inciting hatred, feelings of insult and other negative perceptions against the Bugis community.
Several police reports have been lodged over the issue.