SITI Kasim was compelled to address the missing crescent moon gaffe in the Jalur Gemilang by Sin Chew Daily after the UMNO Veterans’ Club and PERKASA called for the revocation of academician and political commentator Prof Tajuddin Mohd Rasdi’s citizenship over his unpatriotic remarks while siding those who insult national symbols.
Describing the entire episode as merely “a mistake blown out of proportion”, the human rights activist and lawyer sees the mainstream Chinese publication as being an easy prey amid racial and religious tension orchestrated by advocates of Ketuanan Melayu (Malay supremacy).
‘Imagine if a similar bunder is committed by a Malay publication linked to cronies of the detractors, would the matter be this explosive?” she asked in her latest YouTube rant.
“That the moon crescent coincidentally represents the status of Islam as Malaysia’s official religion has presented them with the right opportunity to play the race and religious sensitivity card.
“I can’t fathom how the missing crescent moon can be linked to an anti-Islam movement … I wonder what type of Islamic faith do they practise for Islam is not merely a symbol but a basis for moral beliefs and behaviours or a guide towards righteous action.”
All in all, Siti Kasin observed that it was a matter of perfect timing to condemn the Chinese on grounds that the gaffe happened in a Chinese publication when animosity agonist the Chinese is high coupled with the state visit by Chinese president Xi Jinping (which was perceived to be a DAP initiative).
“This is just an honest mistake capitalised by politicians with even former education minister Maszlee Malik joining the fray to demand retribution (heads to roll and subjecting the publication to legal action),” lamented the Orang Asli advocate.
“Hello Maszlee, UMNO Veterans’ Club and PERKASA. Have you ever voiced concern over ustaz at religious or tahfiz schools rap*ig or sodom*sing pupils under their care?
“Have you ever opposed corruption involving millions or billions of ringgit committed by Malay leaders? Or have you ever made a fuss when thousands of police reports against errant preachers like Zamri Vinoth who insult other faiths at will?”
Aside from their double standard calls, Siti Kasim also ticked off the Msdani government for pandering to the demands of the rightist groups.
“By right, our authorities shouldn’t have detained the chief editor and deputy chief sub-editor … Just issue a warning letter or impose a first-time offence fine for nobody in their right frame of mind would purposely want to erase the crescent moon from the Malaysian flag,” she justified.
“Supposedly if this is done on purpose or is a repeatedly occurrence, then a stiffer punishment can be meted out … Surely our system doesn’t use commonsense as the Sin Chew Daily management has apologised in three languages.
“The bottom line is that it’s just an unintended mistake contrary to the various conspiracy theories of hidden or subtle motives raised by detractors.”
At the end of the day, Siti Kasim could not better agree with former de facto law minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim who questioned why the government is so swift to act against the two editorial personnel if Sin Chew Daily.
“This is just for one blunder but what about Zamri Vinoth’s thousands of police reports lodges against him over the years … Why is it that the cops just sit on the reports without doing anything?
When the offender is a non-Muslim, the action is seemingly so swift when many a time, there is no action if the offenders are Muslim preachers.
The Madani government needs to teach its allies not to make a mountain out of a molehill but just to accept the apology and move on instead of allowing the Ketuanan Melayu (Malay supremacy) gang to fully exploit the situation to safeguard their power and influence.
To the Malays, I urge them not to blindly fall for the whims and fancies of those with political interest. – April 21, 2025
