RSN Rayer

Yang Berhormat Tuan Sanisvara Nethaji Rayer s/o Rajaji Rayer (Tamil: ஆர். எஸ். என். ராயர்) (born 11 June 1971) is a Malaysian politician and lawyer who has served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Jelutong since May 2018. He served as Member of the Penang State Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Seri Delima from March 2008 to May 2018. He is a member of the Democratic Action Party (DAP), a component party of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) and formerly Pakatan Rakyat (PR) coalition. He currently serves as the Chairman of the Penang Hindu Endowments Board. As the Jelutong MP, he is known of his involvement in heated arguments and exchanges with the opposing MPs during the meetings in Parliament.

Politics

Rayer's political career began in 1988 after a short stint working for Karpal Singh for his general election campaign. Subsequently, he joined Democratic Action Party (DAP) and went on to contest and be elected twice as the state assemblyman for Seri Delima in 2008 and 2013 general elections. In the 2018 general election, Rayer contested the Jelutong parliamentary seat and was elected as a member of parliament.

Criticism of Najib Razak

On 10 May 2019, Rayer urged former prime minister Najib Razak to show some remorse for what happened while he was prime minister instead of going around calling himself “Bossku”.

On 17 November 2021, Rayer claimed that there was a video on social media allegedly showing Najib signing his autograph on a motorcycle while campaigning in the state polls. He offered to provide the video to Khairy, urging that action be taken against Najib for repeatedly flouting standard operating procedures (SOP).

During the Debate on Budget 2022 at the Committee Stage, Rayer had asked Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz why Najib has yet to be blacklisted by the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) and allowed to travel to Singapore despite the outstanding tax arrears owed to the government. Rayer was ejected from the Dewan Rakyat for ignoring instructions from deputy speaker Rashid Hasnon.

On 2 March 2022, Rayer has been ejected from the Dewan Rakyat after he repeatedly interjected Najib during the latter’s debate of the royal address.

Legal career

Rayer was admitted to the Malaysian bar in 1995 after completing his pupillage in the chambers of Karpal Singh & Co. Currently, he has his own law firm, R. Nethaji Rayer & Co. in Georgetown, Penang.

Controversy

"UMNO celaka" remarks

Rayer drew flak from UMNO-BN supporters for his controversial "UMNO celaka" (damned UMNO) remarks referring to three assemblymen who alleged that DAP instigated the May 1969 riot in a state assembly sitting in Penang State Legislative Assembly. Following his remark, a protest was staged by Penang Perkasa Youth and several Penang UMNO members in front of the state assembly hall. They stormed into the state assembly hall by crashing through the gates of the building. They have also demanded apology from R.S.N. Rayer. However, Rayer refused to apologise.

Rayer was arrested in a sedition dragnet for his "UMNO celaka" remark under the Sedition Act and was charged on 27 August 2014. However, the Sessions Court acquitted and discharged R.S.N. Rayer. The court held that the words that Rayer had used in reference to UMNO did not amount to sedition as alleged.

TV3 Broadcast License

On 11 May 2018, just days after being elected a Member of Parliament of Jelutong on 9 May 2018, Rayer again drew widespread criticism, this time from ordinary Malaysian citizens, for posting a comment on Facebook, that TV3, a Malaysian TV network, should have its broadcast license revoked. This comment was in blatant contradiction to Pakatan Harapan's election manifesto which specifically promises to guarantee media freedom, and was swiftly renounced by Pakatan Harapan.

'Kepala Bapak' remarks

On 5 August 2018, DAP's RSN Rayer, sparked controversy in the Dewan Rakyat when he used the insult ‘kepala bapak’ during the sitting. He used the phrase when his attempt to raise an additional question was interrupted by Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin. Hamzah had criticised Rayer for trying to ask Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Dr Ong Kian Ming whether the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) issue had triggered outflow of foreign investments from Malaysia.

Rayer had previously used the insult during another Parliamentary sitting. On that meeting, he was raising an additional request to the Deputy Home Affairs Minister
Azis Jamman, over the poor conditions spreading within police barracks in Penang. He then criticized on how the previous Barisan Nasional government failed to assist in upgrading those damaged or poorly built police barracks, pointing out that their reason of not doing so as a result of not having the enough financial resources is pointless as former Prime Minister Najib Razak's wife, Rosmah Mansor, was able to freely import jewelries into the country without even paying GST.

He then uttered the word right before assuming his seat and this caused a stir between him two Barisan Nasional MPs, Mahdzir Khalid and Noh Omar, who were ordering him to withdraw the word. This was eventually settled when Deputy Speaker, Nga Kor Ming
ordered Rayer to retract.

RSN Rayer's dispute with Perlis Mufti

Recently, a controversy arose between RSN Rayer, the Member of Parliament for Jelutong, and Datuk Dr. Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin, the Mufti of Perlis, regarding the participation of Dr. Zakir Naik in a religious event in Perlis. Dr. Zakir Naik, a preacher who was previously barred from delivering public lectures in Malaysia since 2019, was reported to have spoken at the event. RSN Rayer questioned the authorities about his appearance, given the previous ban on his public speeches.

In response, Dr. Mohd Asri defended Zakir Naik’s participation, stating that he had been granted official credentials to teach Islam in Perlis. However, the Mufti’s remarks included references to Hindu religious practices, particularly the sacred ash ("vibhuti") applied on the forehead, which RSN Rayer found offensive.

RSN Rayer expressed that he felt insulted by the remarks and demanded an apology from Dr. Asri. He clarified that, as a Member of Parliament, it was his responsibility to raise public concerns and that he had no intention of interfering in Islamic affairs.

However, Dr. Asri denied any intent to insult and argued that his statement had been misinterpreted. He also questioned Rayer’s understanding of the Malay language, further fueling the dispute.

This incident highlights the importance of respectful dialogue in a multicultural society in Malaysia. Public figures, both political and religious, should be mindful of their statements to avoid offending any community Because Islam is the official religion of Malaysia.

Election results

Honours

* :
** Recipient of the 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong Installation Medal (2024)

See also

* Seri Delima (state constituency)
* Jelutong (federal constituency)
* List of Malaysian politicians of Indian origin

References

External links

*

RSN Rayer blog

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1971 births
Living people
People from Kedah
Malaysian Hindus
20th-century Malaysian lawyers
Malaysian politicians of Indian descent
Democratic Action Party (Malaysia) politicians
Members of the Penang State Legislative Assembly
Alumni of the University of London
21st-century Malaysian lawyers
Malaysian MPs 2018–2022
Malaysian MPs 2022–