Badruddin refuses to retract remark: NST – October 26, 2007

NST Online – Local News
2007/10/26
Badruddin refuses to retract remark

Datuk Badruddin Amiruldin (BN-Jerai) says his remark was directed only at Karpal

DATUK Badruddin Amiruldin, who on Monday said Bukit Gelugor MP Karpal Singh was wheelchair-bound because “God has punished you” has refused to retract the remark.
Badruddin’s (BN-Jerai) defence was Karpal had said worse things about backbenchers.

“To all disabled people, if they are hurt by my statement, I am sorry. It was not my intention to insult them. I did not mention the disabled, I only referred to Karpal who is in a wheelchair,” he said when debating Budget 2008.

He blamed the DAP’s Batu Gajah MP, Fong Po Kuan, for the furore, adding “she has twisted my words and said I was referring to the disabled”.

Later he told the New Straits Times: “Karpal wants us to respect him; he should respect others in the first place.”
Karpal yesterday asked Speaker Tan Sri Ramli Ngah Talib to direct Badruddin to retract the remark and apologise. He waved a copy of the New Straits Times which had published three letters from representatives of disabled organisations criticising Badruddin’s choice of words against him and its connotation to those who were disabled.

However, Ramli declined to order Badruddin to apologise or retract the statement and said the matter should have been raised on Monday.

Nonetheless, Ramli regretted the incident and urged MPs to refrain from such language against each other.

Chong Eng (DAP-Bukit Mertajam) stood up and said she was disappointed with Bad-ruddin and asked: “Do you respect the disabled?”

Badruddin retorted that he was equally disappointed with the DAP and a shouting match ensued. Opposition leader Lim Kit Siang said later that Badruddin would be referred to the committee of privileges.

Related entries:
Datuk Badruddin Amiruldin: Using A Wheelchair Is God’s Punishment
NST – October 25, 2007: Letters To The Editor – Wheelchair remark: Retract that statement
The People Whom God Has Punished

Author: Peter Tan

Peter Gabriel Tan. Penangite residing in the Klang Valley. Blissfully married to Wuan. A LaSallian through and through. Slave to three cats. Wheelchair user since 1984. End-stage renal disease since 2017. Principal Facilitator at Peter Tan Training specialising in Disability Equality Training. Former columnist of Breaking Barriers with The Borneo Post. This blog chronicles my life, thoughts and opinions. Connect with me on Twitter and Facebook.