'My speech was about reviving cancelled Tamil school' - Zahid

KUALA LUMPUR - Datuk Seri Dr Zahid Hamidi said his speech yesterday was a proposal for the reconstruction of a Sekolah Jenis Kebangsan Tamil (SJKT) in the Sungai Bakap state constituency in Penang, which had previously been cancelled.

The Deputy Prime Minister criticised Muafakat Nasional chairman Tan Sri Annuar Musa for claiming that his statement was threatening and insulting to voters in the area, explaining that the allocation for the SJKT had been provided before but had been diverted elsewhere.

"I think he (Annuar) is 'gila talak' (having political separation anxiety)... This is not a recommendation, nor a promise. But if you examine my speech last night, it was proposing that the cancelled Tamil school be revived because the allocation was there at the time but was channelled elsewhere.

"It is reasonable for the residents of Nibong Tebal, especially in Sungai Bakap, consisting of Indian children, to be given education in that Tamil school," he told a press conference after officiating at the MARA Educator Awards Day here today.

Annuar alleged today that the statement by Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, was a threat and insult to voters as it seemed to suggest that certain projects might not be given if Pakatan Harapan (PH) lost in the Sungai Bakap by-election.

Commenting further, the Umno president said the Senior Citizens Activity Centre (PAWE) in Seberang Perai Selatan District, especially in Sungai Bakap, has also not been established despite the allocation being available.

"PAWE exists in all districts except the Seberang Perai Selatan District, especially in Sungai Bakap. Therefore, I propose that this allocation be used after the Sungai Bakap by-election," he said.

The by-election on Saturday is a straight fight between PH candidate Dr Joohari Ariffin and Nibong Tebal Pas vice-chief Abidin Ismail representing Perikatan Nasional (PN). - BERNAMA