Negeri MB: Don’t take my ‘flip table’ remarks literally

MB says he always talks jokingly at BN functions and this was one such occasion to boost up spirits of supporters.

Mohamad Hasan rousing up BN youths at the ‘Briged Gempur’ function in Rembau. (Facebook pic)

GEORGE TOWN: Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Mohamad Hasan today urged calm over his “flip the table” remark at a Barisan Nasional rally in Rembau today, laughing off claims that his remarks were seditious.

He said he had merely wanted to fire up the spirits of the election machinery members for the coming general election and was not serious in what he called his “battle cry”.

“That is just a talk to motivate people to work hard.

“Not that I am asking people to actually flip tables or hit people for real,” he told FMT.

Mohamad was commenting on a viral video of him at a “Briged Gempur” Rembau BN Youth function in Kuala Sawah, Rantau, on Sunday to “ganyang” (destroy) coffee shops that are hotspots for slandering the government.

In the video, he said: “Jika ada kedai kopi yang menjadi sarang memfitnah kerajaan, gempur kedai kopi tersebut, ganyang dia, terbalikkan meja dia. Kena tangkap dengan polis saya jamin. Jangan bagi muka dengan pembangkang; hentam pembangkang.”

This translates to: “If there are coffee shops that are popular for slandering the government, shake up that coffee shop, destroy it, flip their tables.

“If you are caught by the police, I guarantee I will bail you out.

“Don’t give face to the opposition; slam the opposition.”

Also with him at the event was Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.

The video has since come under attack from netizens, who said it was a form of sedition asking youths to fight with opposition supporters.

Mohamad reiterated what he said should not be taken seriously as it was just a rallying cry in view of the elections.

“I always talk jokingly. You can ask all the reporters that have covered my press conferences,” he added. -FMT