PETALING JAYA: Perak PAS commissioner Razman Zakaria has issued a public apology to Teluk Intan MP and federal minister Nga Kor Ming over a statement accusing him of being involved in a parade where some participants had waved China’s national flag.
The controversy arose after a video was shared online showing a group of people waving the Chinese flag near the Leaning Tower in Teluk Intan during a temple festival and parade on Oct 24.
Razman, who is opposition leader in the Perak state assembly, then claimed that DAP vice-chairman Nga had officiated the event.
Razman today clarified that the allegation stemmed from confusion about two separate events – one officiated by Nga in September and the parade in October.
In a statement on PAS Perak’s Facebook page, Razman acknowledged that after verifying the facts, it was clear that “Nga was not present at the parade”.
In his apology, Razman admitted that his initial statement falsely implied Nga’s involvement in unlawful activities, including organising and endorsing the display of foreign symbols and participating in an illegal gathering.
He confirmed that these claims were “entirely unfounded and baseless”.
“I apologise unreservedly to Nga for all the distress and embarrassment caused by these allegations,” he said.
“I have removed the statement and undertaken not to make any similar or related claims against Nga in the future.”
The parade was part of the broader International Guan Gong Cultural Festival, with Asean countries represented. Nga previously said other states played host to the festival as well.
The organiser, Guan Gong Cultural Association, has since apologised for the controversy and said the Chinese flags were unexpectedly waved by a delegation from China.
It was previously reported that Nga had lodged a police report against Razman for his claim.
Perak police previously said they were investigating the parade under Section 3(1) of the National Emblems Act 1949 for flying a foreign flag in public places and Section 4(1) of the Assembly Act 2012 for violating the parade’s permit by allowing foreigners to participate in the event.
