Ipoh Timur MP apologises over controversial TikTok video

IPOH: Ipoh Timur MP Howard Lee has issued an apology over the controversial TikTok video issue where he had used Quranic verses to urge Muslims to support the current government.

Lee said his apology was also made on behalf of others, including the non-Muslim supporters from Gerakan, Non-Muslim PAS Supporters Congress (DHPP) and other parties that had used the Quranic verses in a political context.

“A lot of politicians, including DHPP and Gerakan, have made the same mistake on social media.

“The mistake may not necessarily be of what I have said but of the action that has caused annoyance to others,” he said in a press conference at his service centre here on Tuesday (Sept 26).

“The apology is (not an instruction) from party leaders.

“Leaders, including from Pakatan Harapan parties have voiced their opinions and issued statements to show their solidarity,” he said.

“There were also other suggestions, like from Umno secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, who advised me not to repeat the mistake to prevent allegations against me or the religion and I welcome it,” he added.

Lee had last week posted a video on TikTok where he used Quranic verses, urging Muslims to support the current government.

Police reports had been lodged against Lee over the now-deleted video, calling for an investigation for insulting Islam by misinterpreting Quranic texts.

Perak police chief Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri had on Friday (Sept 22) said that the matter would be investigated by the Bukit Aman police.

Lee, who had his statement recorded on Tuesday here at about 2pm, said he did not interpret the Quranic verses and had merely picked and used it.

“What I have said, I have conducted studies and discussed with religious people or ustaz first, before I dare say it and record a video about it.

“I had only picked the verses, which were taught by some pious people,” he said.

“I have doubts as to why back then when DAP was together with PAS, we could and were encouraged to understand the Quran but now cannot.

“I also have doubts why DHPP members can read and recite the Quran in Arabic, but I am not allowed to do it and was attacked relentlessly,” he said.

“I also want to ask whether police reports were also lodged against the DHPP,” he added.

Lee said he has had tense and threatening comments posted on his social media accounts.

“I did not lodge a police report because these are mainly fake accounts.

“I also do not want to waste the police or Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission’s time to investigate it,” he said.

“To those who read the comments, do not be triggered or get angered. I do not want to make this a polemic,” he added.