Its editors, writing under the pseudonym “Awang Selamat”, accused the news portal of attempting to set a “trap” by publishing news meant to incite feelings of uneasiness against the Royal Institution, erode the spirit of the Federal Constitution and steer Malaysia towards becoming a republic.
The Umno-owned daily cautioned the authorities against allowing Malaysiakini “immunity” to freely publish alternative views, claiming the news portal was gaining strength as the country’s “third force”.
The daily was referring to the recent uproar over Abdul Aziz’s recent response as carried byMalaysiakini to the Selangor Sultan’s decree last week, where the academician reportedly said the ruler’s intervention in the Damansara Utama Methodist Church (DUMC) raid controversy was “uncommon and inconsistent”.
“Strangely, it seems as if Malaysiakini has immunity to do as it pleases. In Singapore, wild and provocative comments will invite immediate action,” said Awang in his column published in the paper’s Sunday edition Mingguan Malaysia.
“Unfortunately in Malaysia, there are parties who should be shouldering this responsibility but have not been carrying out their duties with efficiency, steadfastness and effectiveness,” he added.
Awang then sniped at the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) for allowing Malaysiakini to air such comments on its website, claiming the public had grown “bored” waiting for action to be taken.
“As usual, MCMC would have its reasons ... when Malaysiakini gains strength daily as the third force, on the back of provocation after provocation,” he said.
He added it would not be surprising if “sentiments flared by the portal” would later shape the people’s mindset.
“But do not blame Malaysiakini then, blame ourselves. We allowed it to reach such a stage,” he said.
Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah had decreed last week that the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) had found evidence of proselytisation by non-Muslims during a dinner held at the DUMC on August 3 but said it was insufficient for further legal action to be taken.
Following Abdul Aziz’s statement that the intervention was “unusual and inconsistent” and should have been done in line with Islamic teachings, it provoked the ire in Parliament of Barisan Nasional (BN) MPs who urged for action to be taken against the International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM) law lecturer.
Although a police report has been lodged against him, the outspoken academician has decided against apologising for his remarks, insisting he had not meant to challenge the Sultan.
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