I wasn't being rude, says David Teo on slapping incident

KUALA LUMPUR - Film producer David Teo described the incident which saw him being slapped by a fellow artiste at the National Transformation 2050 (TN50) dialogue last night, as his “most embarrassing” moment to date.

“This (the incident) was the most embarrassing thing to happen to me ever since I first got involved in the local entertainment industry,” he said.

Teo said he wished to put the issue to rest and hoped that there would be no repeats.

“When I shook hands with the prime minister (Datuk Seri Najib Razak), I apologised to him even though I did not start the chaos,” he told Harian Metro.

Teo also maintained that he wasn’t being ‘biadap’ (rude), as claimed.

“I understood that it was a casual event, and there was no protocol involved. I was also speaking out as I was representing the veteran artistes’ association who were seated behind, and their voices couldn’t be heard by the moderator (actor Datuk Rosyam Nor),” he said.

Teo said he actually had a question for the prime minister at the event and it was something that had been keeping for awhile.

“I’ve been keeping this question for a long time, and wanted to ask the prime minister personally.

“But I didn’t manage to ask it, not after what happened. It more or less has to do with improving the TN50 programme,” said Teo.

However, when asked on what the question was, Teo said he wasn’t prepared to share it in detail at the moment.

Teo was slapped by actor/comedian Sulaiman Yassin at the event over what the latter had deemed was ‘disrespectful’ behaviour on Teo’s part.

The incident, which took place in a packed hall at Seri Perdana, was sparked when Teo appeared to question the manner in which Rosyam handled the session, and claimed that Rosyam was not giving an equal chance for everyone to voice their views.

Rosyam then gave way to Teo to air his thoughts, and the film director began to recite a poem.

However, before Teo could finish, Sulaiman appeared on the scene and slapped Teo.

The spontaneous incident was immediately brought under control by the security team, and both men were escorted out of the venue.

The video of the incident subsequently went viral.

Teo and Sulaiman later shook hands and embraced in front of Najib.

Sulaiman has since stated that he had no regrets over his action.