Umno members have also danced, says Khairy

KUALA LUMPUR — There shouldn’t be any issue with Malaysia's Chief Justice Richard Malanjum and Attorney-General Tommy Thomas dancing at the Legal Year 2019 gala dinner on Friday (Jan 18) as Umno also had similar events, said Mr Khairy Jamaluddin.

Malaysia's former youth and sports minister said that people shouldn’t be quick to judge and say that people cannot dance especially if they are celebrating an event.

“We also dance at our events as long as it doesn’t go overboard.

“Previously former attorney-general Apandi Ali was dancing with BN ministers at that year’s national Merdeka celebrations.

“It was just spontaneous, but when the video went viral, BN was attacked. They said it was not right for Apandi to interact with the ministers because there should be a separation of powers.

“But I have no issue with it,” he said after visiting the Orang Asli in Kg Sg Ruil.

Umno Youth chief Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki had criticised Mr Malanjum for dancing with Mr Thomas and “pro-Pakatan Harapan” lawyers such as former Malaysian Bar president Ambiga Sreenevasan and prominent activist Siti Kasim.

Mr Khairy said that they were criticised because there was no separation of powers.

“This is not a moral issue, but an issue of separation of powers.

“They said that it was for only one song. We were criticised before, so let the people say what they want.”

Earlier, de facto Deputy Law Minister Hanipa Maidin said that there was nothing wrong with Malanjum, Thomas and Law Minister Liew Vui Keong dancing with other guests at the gala dinner.

He said such an event did not in any circumstances compromise the participants’ professionalism. THE MALAYSIAN INSIGHT