Tag: Karpal Singh

Bung Moktar Radin: Bigfoot In Malaysian Parliament

“Berdirilah kalau berani! (Stand up if you dare!)”

It is déjà vu all over again on the first session of Malaysia’s Twelfth Parliament. The above was the challenge issued by Kinabatangan MP Bung Moktar Radin to Bukit Gelugor MP Karpal Singh. This happened after Karpal called Bung Moktar a bigfoot. Karpal sustained severe cervical injury in a traffic accident in 2005 and is currently using a wheelchair.

While Karpal’s derision was uncalled for, I take offense at Bung Moktar’s retort. Knowing that Karpal is unable to stand and yet using such a low brow challenge just goes on to show how shallow a person Bung Moktar is. I take this as an affront to all wheelchair users. We may not be able to physically stand up but that does not mean we do not have the courage to fight injustices perpetrated against us.

If Bung Moktar’s attitude is a reflection of how the Malaysian society sees disabled people, we should never ever use the word “masyarakat penyayang” again. I truly hope this is not so. If this is how Bung Moktar view disabled people – that because they cannot stand up they lack courage – then I weep for the disabled people who have voted him into Parliament. They would have gotten more respect had they voted for an orang utan or even the bigfoot.

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.

Badruddin says sorry to Karpal: The Star – October 30, 2007

N E W S

Parliament
Tuesday October 30, 2007

Badruddin says sorry to Karpal

At The Dewan Rakyat
Reports by ZULKIFLI A. RAHMAN, LEE YUK PENG, ELIZABETH LOOI AND FLORENCE A. SAMY

DATUK Badruddin Amiruldin (BN – Jerai) apologised to Karpal Singh (DAP – Bukit Gelugor) and the handicapped community for making an offensive remark against them in the Dewan last week.

The Jerai MP, who stood up during the debate on the Supply Bill 2008, said that as a Muslim, he should adhere to the good tidings of the Syawal month after celebrating Hari Raya and seek forgiveness.

“I would like to apologise to anyone who had been offended by my remark. Those words came up during a heated debate with Bukit Gelugor (Karpal Singh) recently.

“I’m a kind and loving person but I felt I was being provoked during the debate with Opposition members.

“I would also like to tender my sincerest apology to Bukit Gelugor,” he said.

Badruddin said Karpal Singh is also his friend, adding that he had even helped to push the veteran DAP MP’s wheelchair during a function held at Parliament House to celebrate Karpal Singh’s birthday.

Badruddin’s apology came about for calling Karpal Singh’s use of a wheelchair as “a punishment from God”, during a heated argument with him.

Karpal Singh was not in the House during Badruddin’s speech.

Met at the lobby later, Badruddin said he had made his apology as a Muslim and stressed that it was not due to any form of pressure.

“Since it’s the Syawal month, it’s the right time to seek forgiveness for the wrongs that we have made.

“I don’t want to offend anyone. I’m a caring person. Sometimes, tears well up in my eyes when I see a disabled person who had to be carried by his mother,” he added.

Asked if this meant that he would not repeat those words in the House in future, Badruddin replied: “Oh no, I cannot say this. I’m only human.”

Meanwhile, when asked to comment on the apology, Karpal Singh said: “His apology can’t erase the damage done by his statement.

“I hope his apology is sincere and he will not repeat it again. I can forgive but I cannot forget the incident.”