UNABLE to stomach PAS’ incessant claims of DAP promoting Islamophobia in Malaysia any longer, retired DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang has mooted the formation of a commission to ascertain whether there is any truth in the claim of the Islamist party.
The veteran lawmakers went on to suggest that the so-called commission should comprise Islamic and non-Islamic experts to report on whether there are political parties promoting Islamophobia, the issue of Islamophobia and the phobias of other religions in Malaysia.
Kit Siang’s proposal came on the back of PAS’ mouthpiece Harakah publishing an article headlined “Dasar Sekular DAP dan Liberal PKR Mewujudkan Islamophobia” (DAP’s Secular and PKR’s Liberal Policies Create Islamophobia).
“There is no basis whatsoever to these allegations that DAP and PKR are promoting Islamophobia but since they (PAS) had been made publicly and repeatedly, these allegations should be taken seriously although there is no need for any over-reaction to these wild and baseless allegations,” lamented the 81 year-old former Opposition leader.
“I suggest that the Federal Government form a commission to uphold the principles of Rukun Negara (National Principles) to achieve and foster better unity among the Malaysian society”.
Kit Siang further suggested that the said commission should invite PAS president Tan Sri Hadi Awang and other PAS leaders to co-operate by substantiating the party’s allegation that DAP and PKR are promoting Islamophobia.
“The commission should be asked to make recommendations to prevent Malaysia from being polarised and divided by the toxic politics of lies, fear, hatred, race and religion,” insisted the former Iskandar Puteri MP who quit active politics in March this year after a political career spanning 57 years.
“When political parties which fully accept Article 3 of the Malaysian Constitution which stipulated that Islam is the religion of the Federation but other religions may be practised in peace and harmony are accused of Islamophobia, these are ‘red lights’ undermining the Rukun Negara and the unity of Malaysians, and should be taken seriously”
In fact, Kit Siang stressed that this is an urgent issue which deserves the attention of the first meeting of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s Cabinet following its formation. – Dec 2, 2022
