Fresh out of police lock-up for trying to block an eviction, DAP's Seremban MP Anthony Loke is now under fire for allegedly yelling 'Celaka punya Melayu' (Damned Malays) during yesterday's arrest.
In the video now circulating online, Loke is seen angrily yelling while police bundle him into a truck, after failing trying to stop the demolition of some 100 homes at Kampung Ulu Temiang, Negri Sembilan.
This prompted a police report against the MP by NGO Gerakan Merah Pejuang Negara in Seremban this morning.
However, according to Loke, he was not directing his anger at Malays, but to the owner of the development firm whom the residents said is failing to adequately compensate them.
"I was yelling 'Celaka Anwar Yeoh' (the developer). It was 'Anwar Yeoh'. I don't know how on earth they can say I yelled 'Celaka Melayu'," the MP said when contacted.
"They (the critics) should be ashamed of themselves. Why didn't they help the residents?...Their homes are gone. I even had to put some of them up in a budget hotel last night.
"It is nonsense. The issue is about eviction of residents, who are Malay, Chinese and Indian.
"It has nothing to do with race, but about a group of victims who have been treated with high-handedness and bullied," he added.
Loke said the police also questioned him on the 'Celaka Punya Melayu' claim and played the video recording of the arrest for him to explain.
He was released after 12 hours at about 8pm, and has since lodged a police report denying the "slander".
Also arrested yesterday was Temiang assemblyperson Ng Chin Sai.
Umno Youth exco member Armand Azha Abu Hanifah, however, was less convinced.
In a statement referring to the video, Armand insisted that Loke was saying "Celaka Punya Melayu".
This, he said, is evidence that DAP continues to make racist remarks and is a "chauvinist" party.
"This DAP elected representive is rude and stupid for saying 'Celaka Punya Melayu'. There can be no one else who would say this but that 'celaka' (damned) Anthony Loke...
"Congratulations to the blind supporters including the Malays in DAP who continue to be silent and support the chauvinist DAP," he said.
He also demanded an apology from DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng over the matter, and asked Malay DAP leaders if they admit to being "celaka" as well.
According to Loke, the residents are demanding compensation of RM12,000 per home, but the developer is only willing to give RM3,500.
The residents say they have been living there for 40 years after they were resettled there by the state government.
Loke said the land has since been sold by the state to a developer.
On Sept 30, the MP led residents in a protest march to the Negri Sembilan palace seeking intervention for higher compensation. - M'kini
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