Malaysian leader apologizes for hurting Hindu sentiments

A member of Malaysian Premier Najib Razak’s ruling Barisan Nasional party has apologised to the minority ethnic Indian community for insulting the Hindu religion 10 years ago.

Zulkifli Noordin had questioned the purity of the Ganga River, which is considered sacred by Hindus.

“Indians, I say sorry , I was wrong, I apologise,” Zulkifli, who is contesting the May 5 general elections from the Shah Alam neighbourhood, told a group of 100 Indians.

The Perkasa party vice-president explained that when he was in the opposition, he was taught to be an extremist, racist and a chauvinist, media here reported.

Zulkifli also attempted to shift the blame put on him, telling Selangor state’s Indians that they should be more upset with the Pakatan Rakyat state government for demolishing their temples and shrines than whatever he had done.

Pakatan Rakyat (PKR) is an opposition party.

“I, when told… You say that like it’s wrong. Those Indians feel hurt. I say sorry immediately, I was wrong, I apologise,” said the vocal leader of the right-wing Malay group allied to the ruling coalition.

Demolishing a 124-year-old Hindu temple in Selangor is more despicable, he said, referring to the temple he claimed the state government tore down last October.

Malaysia is a Muslim majority country comprising 60 per cent Malays who are all Muslims, 25 per cent ethnic Chinese mostly Buddhists and Christians and eight per cent ethnic Indians a majority of whom are Hindus.

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