IN a rare instance, political arch-enemies MCA and DAP are on the same page about a current affairs issue – this time, over PAS Youth’s insistence that international concerts should not be allowed in Malaysia.
In separate statements today, spokespersons from both parties agreed that PAS Youth chief Ahmad Fadhli Shari must stop “hyping up” regressive, racial issues to “score political brownie points” and “ruin national harmony” in the process.
MCA spokeswoman Saw Yee Fung said the Pasir Mas MP’s call for the Government to ban all international concerts must be repudiated, adding that politicians should not incite emotions, create confrontations or resort to radical means.
“Although inciting emotions and hyping up racial issues are the most direct and cheapest political ploys, our nation’s democratic values, diversity and the spirit of goodwill within our communities will pull us through to rise above any challenges lobbed by extremists,” she said.
This is because multiracial Malaysians, idealising the spirit of “one family”, will reject any groups or individuals intending to mire the country with “ethnic antagonism” and “destroy the nation’s social harmony and national unity”.
She also noted that despite Malaysia being made up of multiracial, multilingual and multireligious communities, most folks co-exist peacefully as a result of mutual respect for each other and being able to common ground.
Even if they do not agree or feel uncomfortable, individuals can always opt-out of participating in activities that apparently do not conform to one’s own culture, religious teachings and practices, Saw pointed out.
She added that most Malaysians would not agree with narrow and extremist remarks and views, in general.
“Not an issue if people maintain self-discipline”
As to the issue of music entertainment, so long as people do not indulge in a “decadent” or “hedonistic” lifestyle and are able to “maintain self-discipline”, music concerts should not be an issue.
“As Merdeka day approaches, we must keep in mind and cherish the founding spirit exemplified by our founding fathers who aspired to build an inclusive, harmonious and multiracial society steeped in moderation,” she added.
The “concert saga” started last Friday (Aug 19) after Ahmad Fadhli, warned organisers of concerts in Malaysia not to “challenge the emotions of Muslims”, barely one day after American singer-songwriter Billie Eilish’s concert in Kuala Lumpur.
Meanwhile, DAP Socialist Youth Malaysia (DAPSY) chief Dr Kelvin Yii said Ahmad Fadhli’s latest statement that PAS will hold nationwide protests if the Government does not cancel international concerts proves that PAS is not only “bankrupt” of ideas to move our country forward, but a “threat” to multiculturalism and pluralism.
The party’s “fixation” on concerts in the midst of a possible economic slowdown and “rampant corruption” in Malaysia shows how they have their “priorities confused” and “nothing constructive” to offer to everyday problems faced by the people, he claimed further.
“Are all these concerts by so-called overseas artists even the cause of the moral collapse of the leaders in power, which have led to billions stolen from projects like the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), littoral combat ship (LCS), Tabung Haji and Yayasan Akalbudi scandals, among others?
“Why no nationwide protest for all these more serious matters, especially against blatant corruption, bad governance, inequality, discrimination and oppressive laws that are inflicting real damage to our country and its people?” the Bandar Kuching MP asked.
Such a “Taliban” mindset in trying to regress Malaysia into the medieval era has “no place” in Malaysia and is surely not conducive for development as it will lead Malaysia to trail even further behind other neighbouring countries, he added.
“All this divisive rhetoric is merely a smokescreen for their leaders’ incompetence in the Government in dealing with real issues that affect all Malaysians, as well as their deafening silence against their own partners in Government who are involved in grand corruption and kleptocracy,” he alleged.
He further stated: “This is why there should not be a place for PAS in positions of power in our country. This is the kind of government PAS will bring, so vote wisely in the 15th General Elections (GE15).” – Aug 27, 2022
Main photo credit: Jakarta Post
