Apologise for claim against Umno and BN, Johor MB tells Syed Saddiq

PETALING JAYA: Johor menteri besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi has called on Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman to apologise after claiming that Umno members disrupted a ceramah in Muar featuring the former Muar MP..

Onn Hafiz, who is also the Johor Barisan Nasional (BN) operations director for the 15th general election, alleged that Syed Saddiq slandered Umno and BN without providing any proof that Umno members caused the commotion on Sunday night.

“Syed Saddiq needs to be held accountable for the reckless accusations and provocations … I urge him to publicly apologise to Umno and BN as soon as possible,” he said in a Facebook post.

Syed Saddiq told the crowd after a group of youths disrupted the ceramah that such tactics were “normal for Umno and BN”.

“This is what they do when they can’t fight by debating,” he was quoted as saying.

Muar Umno Youth has since lodged a police report against him and several Muda leaders for allegedly accusing them of being behind the incident.

Muar Umno Youth chief Helmy Abdul Latif said he was also discussing with his lawyers whether to take legal action against Muda.

Meanwhile, Maharani Muda chief Amir Fiqri has also lodged a police report urging authorities to identify those responsible for the ruckus.

He claimed that the youths tried to provoke those attending the ceramah as well as Muda supporters by screaming and showing vulgar signs.

It was reported that they gathered outside the tent where Syed Saddiq was speaking and repeatedly shouted “penipu” (liar) at the former youth and sports minister.

In response, Muda supporters shouted back, asking them to “balik” (go home). Police were seen blocking the hecklers from getting any nearer to the tent.

Syed Saddiq said he was frustrated by their action, which included revving up the throttle on their motorcycles to drown out his speech.