Thursday May 8, 2008 MYT 3:36:29 PM

Ibrahim apologises to disabled, but not to Karpal Singh

By PAUL CHOO

KUALA LUMPUR: Commotion broke out in the Parliament lobby Thursday when Datuk Ibrahim Ali (Independent - Pasir Mas) stormed out from a meeting with a group of disabled people demanding for his apology to Karpal Singh at the Parliament lobby at noon.

The group - known as Malaysians Against the Discrimination of the Disabled (MADD), urged Ibrahim to retract insulting statements against Karpal Singh recently when he asked the latter to stand when speaking in Dewan Rakyat.

Ibrahim had apologised to the group initially for hurting their feelings over the remarks he made in Dewan to Karpal Singh.

However, he refused to say sorry to Karpal Singh.

"My problem was with Karpal Singh and never with all of you. I have never offended you and I love disabled people from the bottom of my heart.

"But if you all have misinterpreted my meaning, I extend my sincerest apologies.

"I hope you don't misunderstand this because there are groups trying to take advantage of you," he said, referring to several Pakatan Rakyat leaders - Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Lim Lip Eng, Loh Gwo Burne, Gobind Singh Deo and others who had escorted the group into Parliament.

Ibrahim even added that he would propose that the Government allocate a RM500 monthly allowance to the disabled. This was greeted by cheers.

A huge spat soon ensued however when Lim Lip Eng (DAP - Segambut) questioned Ibrahim if he would offer a similar apology to Karpal Singh.

To this, Ibrahim shouted "No! No! No!"

"I will not apologise to Karpal (Singh). You cannot force me. I will not apologise for the benefit of the Opposition party," he retorted, and stormed off from the meeting.

In response, the group shouted back at him: "What if you are disabled one day?"

A representative from MADD later handed over a memorandum to Opposition Leader Dr Wan Azizah.

Last week, Ibrahim critised Karpal Singh for not standing up to speak while Bung Mokhtar and Karpal Singh engaged in a heated exchange of insults where Karpal Singh called him “big foot” and he called Karpal Singh “big monkey”.