BUKIT MERTAJAM, June 15 — Penang Umno has doubted why Seri Delima State Assemblyman R S N Rayer needs until the next state assembly sitting to apologise for his insolence when he can do it earlier.
Penang Umno Liaision Committee chairman Datuk Zainal Abidin Osman said if Rayer was sincere and regretted his impertinence in uttering harsh words against Umno at the last State Assembly, he could apologise now.
“Why does he need to wait six months (until the next state assembly sitting) to apologise? If he is an honest and sincere person, the apology can be made at any time and anywhere.
“I also want to stress that Penang Umno has never forgiven Rayer as reported by a newspaper recently but we are prepared to do so if he is truly honest and sincere and regretted his rudeness,” he told reporters after a meeting of the body at Wisma Transformasi Umno, Permatang Pauh, here, today.
Zainal Abidin was commenting on a statement by Rayer in a news portal which quoted him as saying: “If there is any quarters pressing me to retract the statement, it should be made at the next sitting.”
Rayer, prior to this, triggered the anger of Umno members and Malay non-government organisations when he repeatedly uttered the word ‘celaka’ (a word with negative connotation) against Umno in the state assembly sitting.
His insolence angered a group of youths who went to the State Assembly to seek clarifications from him over his utterances.
Zainal Abidin said Umno was waiting for the investigation by the police and the attorney-general on the statements made by Rayer before taking any court action.
Nevertheless, he said Penang Umno insisted that Rayer apologise to the party for his insolence. — Bernama
