Perak BN, Umno apologise over ‘snake fable’ remark

IPOH, July 1 — Perak Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) today officially tendered an open apology over a sensitive remark made by an assemblywoman in the state assembly last week.

The apology, made in a statement faxed to the media by the chairman of the Perak Umno liaison committee and Perak Barisan Nasional (BN) Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali, reads: "The rash expression by YB Hamidah Osman is most regretted and Perak Umno and Perak BN hereby officially tender their apology to all quarters who have felt uneasy in the matter, particularly Indians.

"YB Hamidah Osman has retracted the expression uttered in the state assembly but, in the interest of maintaining cordial inter-racial relations, it is hoped that this statement expressing regret and offering an apology will be accepted with an open heart by all quarters.."


Hamidah, the assemblywoman for Sungai Rapat, had reportedly asked Speaker V. Sivakumar during the assembly sitting on Wednesday whether he agreed to disagree with the saying of whether a snake or an Indian man should be killed first.

Perak Umno liaison committee secretary Datuk Ramly Zahari said today Tajol Rosli had instructed that the statement of apology be issued through the media.

Hamidah has also openly apologised for having made the remark. Yesterday, Gopeng MIC division chief M. Krishnan urged all Indian organisations to accept Hamidah's apology and not play up the issue. — Bernama