IPOH Timur MP Howard Lee today apologised for quoting a verse from the Quran in a video on social media. 

He made the apology during a press conference held at the Ipoh Timur MP’s service centre today. 

Lee said he had absolutely no intention of offending the sensitivities of the Muslim community and welcomed the recommendation made by Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki regarding the matter. 

“I tender an open apology to all Muslims regarding this issue, but I’d like to stress that I had referred to a Muslim scholar before I quoted the verse from the Quran. 

“There is no question of blindly interpreting (the verse), but I apologise if my actions have offended Muslims in the country,” he said at the press conference.  

On Friday, Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said the department would record Lee’s statement regarding the incident. 

Perak Police chief Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri previously said the first report on the case was lodged at the Jalan Tun Razak police station in Kuala Lumpur while the civil society organisation Jalinan Bersatu Sahabat Perak also filed a report on Thursday. 

Lee said his statement regarding the matter had been recorded by the police. He, however, did not disclose where it was recorded. – Bernama, September 26, 2023.