Jerai MP’s Remarks Not Okay With Karpal – The Star – October 26, 2007

N E W S

Parliament
Friday October 26, 2007

Jerai MP’s remarks not okay with Karpal

THE term OKU (orang kurang upaya) struck a chord among MPs with wheelchair-bound Karpal Singh (DAP – Bukit Gelugor) asking Datuk Badruddin Amiruldin (BN – Jerai) to retract a statement he made.

“If he doesn’t want to retract it, then I appeal to the Speaker to order him to do so,” said Karpal Singh when debating on the Supply Bill 2008.

On Monday, Karpal Singh said some Barisan MPs did not display proper conduct in the House by uttering disparaging and obscene words.

An irked Badruddin was quick to remind Karpal Singh that he too had used improper words such as binatang (animal) and bodoh (stupid).

“But if you are already having this attitude (calling names) in a wheelchair, then God has shown you. It is your arrogant attitude,” he said.

Yesterday, Speaker Tan Sri Ramli Ngah Talib said the matter had already passed and was part of a debate discussion.

Fong Po Kuan (DAP – Batu Gajah) insisted that the statement should not be brushed aside just because the matter had passed.

“Jerai (Badruddin) must show his regret. This is not the first time. Remember the bocor issue? He should withdraw and apologise,” she said.

Later, Badruddin apologised to the disabled community if he had insulted them.

“I never called him (Karpal Singh) OKU to begin with. It was Batu Gajah (Fong) who said the word.

“I defend OKUs and even invited them to my Hari Raya open house. It is never my intention to insult OKUs and I apologise if I have done so. DAP just wants cheap publicity,” he said.

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

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.

2 thoughts on “Jerai MP’s Remarks Not Okay With Karpal – The Star – October 26, 2007”

  1. Excellent blog Peter, the disabled all need to unite and march to parliament to protest.
    Zorro has blogged on this issue, please everyone have a look at this blog
    and read it all as well as the comments.

    http://zorro-zorro-unmasked.blogspot.com/

    United we stand, divided we fall, so please support the proposed march and join the protest initiated at zorro’s blog. Watch the blog for updates and schedule.
    Thank you.

  2. another sad day for Malaysia… protest? sometimes it is sad to see that Malaysian don’t spill out to the street to demonstrate their frustration.

    Peter:
    And we wonder why?

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