Perkasa branches in Penang, NGOs lodge police reports against Ramasamy

BUTTERWORTH: Three branches of Malay right wing movement Perkasa in Penang and two NGOs today lodged police reports against Penang Deputy Chief Minister II Prof Dr P.Ramasamy (pix) over the latter's remarks in his Facebook on Muslim preacher Dr Zakir Naik.
The branches were Permatang Pauh, Batu Kawan and Bukit Mertajam while the NGOs, Anak Melayu Permatang Pauh and Persatuan Kebajikan Parong Sari Pulau Pinang.
They lodged the reports at the Seberang Perai Tengah district police headquarters here.
Permatang Pauh Perkasa chairman Mohamed Hifni Mohd Baharuddin, who acted as their spokesman, said they took offence on what was posted by the state leader in his Facebook, claiming it was hurtful to Muslims.
Ramasamy had labelled Zakir as 'satan' in his Facebook and urged the authorities not to allow him to preach in the country and deport him back to India.
However, Ramasamy in a statement to the media today said he had deleted the posting the same day he had uploaded it (on Sunday).
In GEORGE TOWN, Penang Umno Youth religious bureau chairman Mohd Norhiesam Ismail in a statement said Malaysians must have respect for each other's religions.
He said this must be viewed seriously by all to preserve racial and religious harmony.
As such, he said Penang Umno Youth strongly condemned Ramasamy's labelling Zakir as 'satan'.
He added that although Ramasamy had apologised over the matter, Penang Umno Youth did not view it as simple as that and held he was not "fit to be a leader". — Bernama