Media statement by M.Kula Segaran in Ipoh on Thursday, 12^th May 2011:

Possible parliamentary censure motions against Datuk Hishammuddin Hussien and Datuk Seri Rais Yatim

It is quite a surprise that two Penang Umno assemblymen have said that they do not believe last Saturday's front page report in Utusan Malaysia that DAP and a group of Christian pastors were plotting to establish the country as a Christian state.

Hilmi Yahya (BN-Teluk Bahang) and Muhammad Farid Saad (BN-Pulau Betong) have said so at the Penang State Assembly meeting.

I have expressed surprise because it not easy for any Umno politician to say they disbelieve the Utusan Malaysia report for two reasons.

Firstly, the top Umno leadership has not categorically and immediately distanced itself from the report.

Secondly, a couple of government leaders have chosen to believe the report without having it investigated and verified first.

Home Minister Datuk Hishammuddin Hussien and the Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Rais Yatim had chosen to accept without question the Utusan Malaysia report and had even warned Malaysians to not question Islam's position as the official religion of Malaysia.

These are two government leaders in charge of ministries which should immediately investigate the malicious and baseless report, yet instead of giving immediate orders to investigate the report and calling for calm among the people, they have chosen to play politics.

Being seasoned politicians, they know too well how dangerous the Utusan Malaysia report is as it can incite resentment and threaten religious harmony and racial peace in the country.

There is therefore no justification for them to accept without question the Utusan report which has been labeled as a dangerous lie by DAP Secretary General, Sir Lim Guan Eng.

In fact, I believe that any rational politician who is prepared to give an honest answer will say they do not believe the Utusan Malaysia report.

Datuk Hishammuddin and Datuk Rais should apologise for their accepting without question the Utusan Malaysia report, failing which censure motions will be moved against them in the Budget parliamentary session.

* M. Kula Segaran, DAP National Vice Chairman & MP for Ipoh Barat