KOTA BARU: PAS' defence of its spiritual adviser on the issue of the 1Malaysia People's Aid (BR1M) holds no water as the remarks by Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat hurt the feelings of thousands of people who received the aid, said Kelantan Umno chief.
“No amount of explanation can ease the hurt felt by those belittled by Nik Aziz,” Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamad said at the Sultan Ismail Petra Airport here before flying back to Kuala Lumpur.
The Kelantan Mentri Besar had reportedly said the BR1M handout was like feeding padi and coconut husk to poultry and livestock and only meant to bring the farm animals closer to those who give them the fodder.
Nik Aziz reportedly said this before a crowd after returning from an umrahpilgrimage last week.
Mustapa said that although there had been attempts by PAS publicists via various media to clarify and explain the remarks made by Nik Aziz, the fact still stood that an analogy equating people to animals should not have been used.
“There are other analogies that could be used to extend one's opinions or discontent.
“I cannot understand why he had to equate humans with animals,” added Mustapa, who is also International Trade and Industry Minister. “This is very condescending and goes to prove the Kelantan Government is frustrated with the benevolence of the Federal Government in easing the people's cost of living,” he said.
Mustapa said the Government would continue with such assistance for all eligible citizens, regardless of their ethnic and religious background and despite the scathing remarks by Nik Aziz.
Earlier, at a gathering of Kelantan teachers and counsellors at the state Culture and Arts Auditorium, the audience was shown a video footage of an effigy of Mustapa being “flogged” by members of an NGO demanding royalty and oil rights during a recent demonstration in Pasir Pekan near here.
In a voice choked with emotion, Mustapa told the gathering he would not react to the hatred levelled against him.
“I stopped my followers who wanted to reciprocate by burning an effigy of Nik Aziz, as it goes against Islam and the Malay culture,” he said, adding that he had a duty to bring economic and social change to Kelantan.
Realising the video also emotionally affected the audience, Mustapa apologised to them.
Mustapa said he had only wanted to show the rape of forest land in Kelantan and how certain people reacted to the Federal Government.
Tiada ulasan:
Catat Ulasan