Will UMNO and others condemn the Iraqi man in the same manner?
************
Bush 'shoe thrower' unrepentant after jail release
BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) Sept 2009 -- The Iraqi man who threw his shoes at then-U.S. President George W. Bush last year was unapologetic for his act of protest after his release Tuesday.
Muntadhar al-Zaidi speaks to reporters shorlty after his release from an Iraqi jail.
"I am not a hero and I admit that," he said. "I am a person with a stance. I saw my country burning."
Al-Zaidi, who was serving a one-year sentence after the jail-throwing incident on December 14, was given a "conditional discharge."
Under Iraqi law, a "conditional discharge" allows for the release of a prisoner after he serves three-quarters of his sentence, on good behavior.
Soon afterward, the 30-year-old journalist was led into the studios of his employer, Al-Baghdadia TV, where he spoke to reporters wearing a sash in the colors of the Iraqi national flag around his shoulders.
Al-Zaidi said he was compelled to act after witnessing what the U.S. invasion had wrought on his country: orphans, widows, refugees.Al-Zaidi, who was serving a one-year sentence after the jail-throwing incident on December 14, was given a "conditional discharge."
Under Iraqi law, a "conditional discharge" allows for the release of a prisoner after he serves three-quarters of his sentence, on good behavior.
Soon afterward, the 30-year-old journalist was led into the studios of his employer, Al-Baghdadia TV, where he spoke to reporters wearing a sash in the colors of the Iraqi national flag around his shoulders.
Al-Zaidi said he was compelled to act after witnessing what the U.S. invasion had wrought on his country: orphans, widows, refugees.That chance came at a December 14 news conference when al-Zaidi threw both his shoes at Bush and called him a "dog" -- two of the worst insults in the Middle East. Bush ducked the shoes and was not hurt.
During his remarks, al-Zaidi offered one apology: to fellow journalists who perceived his act as unprofessionalism. Was a jail sentence too harsh a punishment?
"Professionalism does not preclude nationalism," he said.
Al-Zaidi was sentenced to jail for "assaulting a foreign head of state on an official visit to Iraq."
His original three-year sentence was reduced to a single year by an appellate court in April.
The journalist's family and supporters had waited for two days outside the Baghdad jail where he was held, initially hoping he would be freed on Monday, but procedural delays kept that from happening.
Last week, al-Zaidi's family prepared for his release, plastering the walls of their modest Baghdad home with his posters.
"We are happy, like any detainee's family would be happy for the release of its son after the bitter time he spent in jail," brother Dhirgham al-Zaidi said.
He said the family had received many phone calls from supporters across the country who planned to travel to Baghdad and welcome al-Zaidi after his release.
Though many Iraqis hold Bush in low esteem, opinions were mixed in Iraq following the incident. Some viewed al-Zaidi as a hero, with thousands taking to the streets, calling for his release; others said his act went against Arab traditions of honoring guests.
Al-Zaidi's brothers said they had been offered many gifts and financial rewards, though they had rejected them.*******
"MIC should have taken action immediately, not only after the brouhaha and only after it looked like Samy Vellu needed to engage in damage control. The action that MIC has just taken is too little, too late. The damage has already been done. MIC must learn how to agree to disagree with proper etiquette and protocol.
MIC has demonstrated biadap (insolence). Suspending the member who committed the offence many days later is too little, too late".
- Raja Petra Kamarudin, malaysiantoday.net
No comments:
Post a Comment