GEORGE TOWN, May 7 — Barisan Nasional (BN) assemblymen staged a walkout from the state assembly during today’s sitting in protest over Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s statement which they regarded as seditious and racist.

The incident happened when Tanasekharan Audherapady (DAP-Bagan Dalam) was debating the motion of thanks on the opening speech by the Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas.

Tanasekharan claimed that minority groups were always neglected when BN was in power.

At this juncture, Lim (picture) interjected and said: “If Umno comes back to power, I think all the Hindu temples will be in jeopardy.”

This led to Opposition Leader Datuk Azhar Ibrahim (BN-Penaga) to object and demand that Lim retract the statement and apologise.

However, Lim refused, resulting in Azhar and his colleagues leaving the hall in protest.

All the 10 BN assemblymen present walked out of the assembly. Another, Datuk Roslan Saidin (BN-Pinang Tunggal), was not present. BN has 11 assemblymen in the assembly.

Speaking to reporters later, Azhar said they regretted Lim’s attitude for refusing to retract his statement. — Bernama