Pusat KOMAS condemns the attempts by certain irresponsible quarters to turn the recent case of theft and thuggery incident which took place at Low Yat Plaza into a racial issue.
Pusat KOMAS would also like to express our strongest objection to the violence and nonsensical responses by the group of about 200 people who claimed to represent NGO’s such as Persatuan Kebajikan Islam dan Dakwah Islamiah (Pekida), and also hurled derogatory and unsavoury remarks in front of Low Yat Plaza.
We also deplore the uncalled for, and extremely racist statement by Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) information chief Mohd Hazizi Ab Rahman quoted in Malay Mail Online which stated that “This diaspora chauvinists have day by day done their provocation; belittling Islamic teaching, ridiculing the Malay culture, questioning the position of Islam, Malays and the monarchy institution in the country, inciting Malays to hate their mufti and ulama.”
We strongly question if Pekida and Isma’s responses to the incident meant to provoke and fan conflict among different races? We also hold the view that such kind of responses and statements can only be uttered by truly narrow minded and arrogant individuals who refuse to acknowledge the importance of diversity and differences.
Pusat KOMAS would also like to affirm the police for acting swiftly to prevent this issue from escalating into a racial issue. However we believe that more could have been done by the police.
The nation’s Police Chief IGP Khalid should heed the Prime Minister’s instructions to take action on groups such as Pekida and Isma by using the existing laws of the nation. However, we strongly feel that the Sedition Act should not be invoked to confront this issue as there are already sufficient legal instruments to sanction these types of destructive behaviours.
KOMAS calls upon all political parties from both sides of the divide, but especially the ruling government to vehemently condemn and call for serious actions against these irresponsible, destructive and openly racist groups such as PEKIDA and ISMA.
Pusat KOMAS and, I am sure, also the rest of the nation, are eagerly waiting to see a proactive and effective response and actions from the government towards these irresponsible and racist sectors. Failure to do so would definitely send a wrong signal that the government seems to be giving them their blessings to continue acting in extremely racist and bigoted manner.
It is without a doubt that the recommendation to promulgate a Harmony Act discussed in the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC) to deal with “hate speeches” and other relevant issues is timely.
We strongly feel that there is no room for such racism and bigotry, in a country like Malaysia. We appeal to the common sense and spirit of multi-racialism of the larger Malaysian public to ignore and distance themselves from these bigoted individuals and their extremism. We can and we shall reclaim this nation for all.
Mr. Jerald Joseph
Board of Director & Advisor of Non-Discrimination Programme
PUSAT KOMAS
Mobile No: +6 012 2861715
Email: jjerald@pd.jaring.my