YAN: The issue over Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's statement about diabetes which was said to have allegedly insulted former menteri besar Tan Sri Azizan Abdul Razak has been resolved following Kedah PAS Youth's acceptance of his explanation.
The Deputy Prime Minister said the statement, made during his meeting with parents and teachers at SK Sungai Limau last Saturday, was only on the abolition of the sugar subsidy in the 2014 Budget and health matters and not to tarnish or belittle the late Azizan's name.
"There was no intention to belittle him (Azizan). However, if the statement was misinterpreted or had hurt the feelings of his family, I apologise.
"I hope they can accept this explanation with an open heart. As Muslims it's important for us to forgive and forget. I was only talking about the budget and of benefits to the people. So I hope it has not been taken advantage of (as a political ploy by PAS)," he told reporters.
Earlier, after the Asar prayers at the Nurul Huda Mosque, the state PAS Youth chief Nasir Zakaria had approached Muhyiddin asking for an explanation on the matter.
The opposition party and its Youth wing had urged Muhyiddin to retract the statement for allegedly upsetting and hurting the family of the late menteri besar.
Muhyiddin further emphasised that Minister in Prime Minister Minister's Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom, who was present that day, could vouch that he had only touched upon the budget.
Meanwhile, Nasir said they have accepted Muhyiddin's explanation and furthermore the information on the statement was obtained secondhand.
"Some people were disappointed about it and Kedah Youth were pressured to do something. So we passed on this message to the Deputy Prime Minister. Tan Sri (Muhyiddin) said he may have been misquoted or misinterpreted.
"It was a perception that his views had hurt not only the Sungai Limau residents but Azizan's family. We had to resolve the matter and I feel they're satisfied with the explanation now," he said. - Bernama
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