(Kuala Lumpur, Thursday): It is beyond comprehension, how an intelligent educated Member of Parliament, Datuk Badruddin (BN-Jerai) (or are we wrong in making that assumption) can stoop so low as to use such a derogatory and insulting term when making reference to the Indians. Before proceeding further, certain issues need to be highlighted that :

a)         though the offensive expression was used during the Parliamentary proceedings it must be remembered that such proceedings reported in the press are read by the populace at large;

b)         we, the electorate who voted you into the Parliament do not need to be reminded that once again our votes were miscast;

c)         no one should be permitted to violate the sanctity of the august Dewan Rakyat by use of such uncouth, unparliamentary language.

When that expression was used in the past to describe an Indian, the general perception was that the user, being uneducated, could be excused as he knew no better. But in these times when most Malaysians have been exposed to some level of education, including some Honourable Members of Parliament, like Datuk Badruddin, it is inexcusable.

Assuming once again (rightly it is hoped), that the Yang Berhormat had inadvertently slipped and used that offensive expression to describe an Indian and that when he was asked to retract the expression he had not intended to brush aside his offensive stance by saying “Aiya, must we quarrel over a small matter like this?”

We wish to remind you that perhaps that to small minds like your it may appear “a small matter”; but you forget that you have insulted the Malaysian Indian community at large – and that too in the holy month of Ramadan.

The DAP wishes to put YB Datuk Badruddin on notice that the expression that he had used to describe an Indian was not only offensive but also seditious in nature, and as such the DAP certainly intends to lodge police report against him.

The DAP is also equally surprised with the slow reaction of the MIC representatives in the Parliament. Why did they have to wait until the Opposition leader a non-Indian had to spring up in action immediately upon Datuk Badruddin having uttered the derogatory and insulting term and that he, a non-Indian had to urge the House to censure Datuk Badruddin for using such an unparliamentary language.

Even Chong Eng of DAP understood the feelings of the Indian community before if finally sank into the minds of the MIC that what occurred in their presence was a direct insult not only to the Indians but to them – to them more so because it was uttered in their thick faces.

Police report would be lodged by lawyer and the DAP labour Bureau Chief A. Sivanesan at the Brickfield’s Police Station on 27.10.2005 at 11.00 am. He would be accompanied by other DAP Leaders and supporters.