GEORGE TOWN, Nov 25 — Jelutong MP Jeff Ooi may not have thought much when he used the Malay expression “kucing kurap” on junior council workers in Penang, but the resulting flap is churning up a storm in the northern state as politicians weigh in.
Penang Umno chief Datuk Zainal Abidin Osman lashed out today at the two-term federal lawmaker, claiming Ooi's off-the-cuff remark reflective of how DAP leaders view the civil service.
“It is demeaning, unethical and an insult to the council workers and to all civil servants when they have done such a good job in bringing development to Penang through hard work,” Zainal told a news conference here, of Ooi's reported reference, a Malay idiom that means something that is “insignificant” or “incompetent”.
He demanded that Ooi withdraw the offending remark and apologise to all civil servants.
“The Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng also has to take stern action against Ooi for his demeaning remark against civil servants, if not, it only means Lim agree to Ooi's views,” he added.
During a market visit on November 16, Ooi had reportedly referred to some low-ranking council officers as “kucing kurap” as he was unhappy that the council had sent low-ranking officers to his press conference then.
Over the weekend, a council worker and his wife created a commotion at Jelutong market when Ooi was giving a press conference there on illegal hawkers.
Mohd Rofi Osman and his wife, former Penang Wanita PKR chief Aminah Abdullah, had demanded that Ooi to explain and apologise for his insults.
A few other Pakatan Rakyat leaders including DAP state chairman Chow Kon Yeow and Penang PKR chief Datuk Mansor Othman had also openly ticked off Ooi for his remarks.
