Guan Eng's aide to handle slapping incident privately

GEORGE TOWN: Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng (pix) is letting his aide Zaidi Ahmad handle a slapping incident which occurred after a ruckus outside a mosque yesterday, in private.
He said he called his information officer soon after the incident and was told the latter wanted to deal with it personally.
Lim understood Zaidi's intention to handle the matter as a private citizen and not in his capacity as Information Officer.
"I respect his decision," he said.
Lim, however, added that such an incident should not have happened and must not be tolerated as it was uncalled for.
"It is not our culture," he stressed.
In the 2.30pm incident, a group of about 50 protesters from a non-governmental organisation held placards critical towards the state government over alleged interference in issuing fatwas.
The drama began when group leader Mohd Hafiz Noordin gave a speech alleging state interference in religious matters pertaining to fatwas.
Zaidi, who was at the mosque for prayers, came out and tried to reason with them but was instead attacked and slapped by one of the protesters.
However, Zaidi said he will not prolong the matter as the attacker was a senior citizen.