Dewan Rakyat: Jerai MP apologises to Karpal: NST- October 30, 2007

NST Online » Local News
2007/10/30
Dewan Rakyat: Jerai MP apologises to Karpal
By : Reports by V.Vasudevan, Eileen Ng and R.S. Kamini

JERAI MP Datuk Badruddin Amiruldin has apologised to Karpal Singh (DAP-Bukit Gelugor), a week after causing a furore when he said that God had punished the opposition member for his arrogance by condemning him to a wheelchair.

Datuk Hasni Mohammad (BN-Pontian) was having the floor when Badruddin stood up and offered his apology.

“On Oct 22, I was arguing with Karpal and the words were uttered at the heat of the moment. In this month of Syawal, which teaches Muslims to forgive, I ask forgiveness from those hurt by the words. I sincerely apologise to everyone, including Bukit Gelugor,” he said.

However, Karpal was not in the House.

The move took everyone by surprise, as Badruddin had been adamant he would not apologise to Karpal.
Last Monday, an angry Badruddin had shouted to Karpal: “You are no better. Calling us (BN MPs) animals… you insult people. Now you are sitting in a wheelchair. God has punished you”.

Karpal had earlier remarked there was little hope of seeing courtesy and good manners in the House as long as backbenchers like Badruddin and Datuk Bung Moktar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan) continued to behave they way they did.

Badruddin’s remarks caused a furore, with disabled groups calling for him to apologise and retract his statement.

He apologised two days later to the disabled, but refused to retract his statement or apologise to Karpal. Instead, he blamed Fong Po Kuan (DAP-Batu Gajah) for twisting his statement.

“Actually, I am a very loving person. I even pushed his wheelchair when he celebrated his birthday in parliament.”

At the members’ lounge, Badruddin said he was not pressured by any party to apologise, but maintained he made the remarks upon provocation by the opposition.

“It was not my intention to hurt people’s feelings, especially Karpal. He is my friend.”

Met later, Karpal, who did not want to say whether he accepted the apology, said he hoped Badruddin was sincere.

“But it cannot erase the negative effect of his statement.

“I will forgive but will not forget,” he said, adding Badruddin should be more careful with his words.

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.

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