Nizar slammed for ‘rude and disrespectful’ remark

Like a pro: Dr Ahmad Zahid trying his hand at roti canai-making at a Bazaar Ramadan in Kuala Kangsar. Looking on is Zambry (right).

SUNGAI BESAR: Amanah deputy chief Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin has come under fire for his remarks over the helicopter crash that led to the by-elections in Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar.

Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said it was rude for Mohammad Nizar to allude that the helicopter tragedy in Sarawak was a “divine intervention” to punish the Prime Minister and his deputy.

Such remarks, said Hisham­muddin, were disrespectful, especially towards the family members of those who perished in the tragedy.

“I believe if he uttered such words, he is really rude.

“If he is saying that just to score some political points, it actually shows his own weakness and personality,” he told reporters after a walkabout at the Taman Padu Permai ramadan bazaar here yesterday.

During a ceramah in Kampung Sayong Lembah in Kuala Kangsar on Monday night, Mohammad Nizar had purportedly said he wondered why God had, out of the 222 parliamentary seats, chosen for the by-elections to be held in Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar.

He also accused Perak Mentri Besar Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir of having set aside 44.8ha of land for his cronies and misusing the Mentri Besar Incorporated (MB Inc) and alleged that Barisan had “stolen” Perak from the Opposition in 2009.

In Kuala Kangsar, Zambry said he was “saddened” by the allegations.

“During Ramadan, he (Moham-mad Nizar) can even tell that the helicopter crash was ‘chosen’ – I don’t want to say much,” he said, adding that Nizar was being insensitive.