GEORGE TOWN: A DAP lawmaker has apologised after a sculpture of a cow at the Air Itam roundabout, clad in Baju Melayu and songkok, which went viral on social media yesterday, earned the wrath of the Malay/Muslim community.
Air Itam assemblyman Joseph Ng took to his Facebook today to apologise for the oversight, stressing that it was never his intention to hurt the feelings of his Malay/Muslim friends.
He said it was the normal practice, during every festive season, for his team to decorate the Air Itam roundabout according to the theme of the festivity.
"However, the negligence (to dress the cow sculpture in Baju Melayu and songkok) for the forthcoming Syawal was done without bad intention.
"I sincerely apologise for the oversight and take full responsibility for what happened. It was never my intention to hurt anyone, more so when we are working towards maintaining the harmony among the diverse races in the state, which has existed for a long time," he said.
As an immediate action, Ng said, they had 'undressed' the cow sculpture last night.
Pertubuhan Badan Pemikir Melayu (Pemikir) chairman Datuk Dr Muhammad Farid Saad questioned the intention behind the action (to dress the cow sculpture in Baju Melayu and songkok).
"Is it to show that many have become 'cows' to the Penang government? And by donning the Baju Melayu and songkok is a sign of thanks?
"For me, this is very unhealthy. Why the need to do this? Is it to anger the Malays? If creativity is used as a reason, then there are other places and times where one can show their creativity. In this case, it is creativity without morality," he said on his Facebook page last night.