Kok rapped over CNY video clip
KUANTAN, Feb 3: Police yesterday said they will look into the controversial video clip in which Seputeh member of parliament Teresa Kok is said to have insulted the prime minister, the nation’s security forces and the Malay community.
Federal Internal Security and Public Order director Datuk Seri Salleh Mat Rashid said yesterday those who triggered controversy by touching on elements that could stir racial tension would be investigated and could face the consequences of their actions.
He said the public were allowed to speak their minds but they should be careful when voicing opinions and refrain from matters that contained incitement and slander.
“Sometimes, people tend to speak and they are unaware of what they voice out and the safety implications. They should avoid speaking on issues that have sensitive elements.
“When everyone wants to live in a peaceful country, why play up sensitive issues that cause anger among the people?
“It is best for people to stay away from provoking each other with unnecessary issues,” Salleh said after monitoring Op Selamat operations in Jalan Kuantan-Gambang here yesterday.
Several police reports were lodged against the DAP vice-chairman on Saturday and yesterday over the video clip, a Chinese New Year greeting titled “Onederful Malaysia” in which she and several people parody a talk show.
Leading the criticism yesterday was Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal in Kota Kinabalu, who said the video was in bad taste.
The MP for Semporna took offence to what he said was Kok’s “tainting” of the Lahad Datu incident last year when security forces battled Sulu gunmen, losing 10 policemen and soldiers.
“I regret what is being spread by Teresa Kok. Malaysians, especially those in Sabah, have a deep connection to this incident.
“Let’s not forget the sacrifices of the police and security forces from Sabah, Sarawak and the peninsula. Security in our country is a very important matter, so don’t make a joke out of this,” he said at the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Chinese New Year open house.
Kok, however, defended the video clip, saying it was merely a political satire.
“We wanted to usher in the New Year with humour and fun. The video was made for my audience among the Chinese community who speak Mandarin and Cantonese.”
She denied insulting Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, saying she did not mention him by name. “This is not true. I did not mention any names in the video. I never ran down or mentioned the prime minister’s name or his wife or the Malay community. It is open to the viewers to interpret the video.”
Several quarters had also been up in arms over what they said was Kok’s mocking of the prime minister, the Malay community and the country’s leadership.
In Putrajaya yesterday, several non-governmental organisations cried foul over the video.
Jaringan Kaseh Ixora chairman Zarina Ismail, who represented the group, said the video had raised racial sentiments and mocked the country’s leadership. “It appears as though Kok wanted to fuel ethnic issues through the video.”
She said the NGOs, which included the Putrajaya chapter of the Federation of Malay Students (GPMS), urged the Home Ministry to take stern action against the politician.
They later lodged a report at the Putrajaya police headquarters.
Among other things Kok was said to have belittled were the country’s tourism and education system.
Additional reporting by Kristy Inus and A. Azim Idris
source: New Straits Times
