Pro-Dr M, pro-Syed Mokhtar groups launch WEAR-SONGKOK' campaign to watch 'Tanda Putera'

A Facebook campaign is under way to mobilise people to wear a songkok and watch the controversial film Tanda Putera in cinemas on National Day.

The move is backed by 15 pro-establishment pages of Facebook, which published an identical posting promoting the campaign fom Aug 14.

“Our aim of wearing the songkok en masse is to remember the contributions of soldiers and Malay combatants who have defended Malaya, in line with the date Aug 31 that is also independence day for Malaya...

“We are confident that with this gathering of Malays, we are certain there are other parties who do not like us gathering in songkok and they would be nervous with our move to unite,” says the posting on all of the 15 Facebook pages.

It added that the premier date of the film on Aug 29 (erroneously written as Aug 28 in the posting) is deemed unsuitable because it is a working day.

The gathering would be held in a cinema in Kuala Lumpur. However, organisers say they have yet to finalise the exact venue because they are still making arrangements with the cinemas.

Among the Facebook pages behind the initiative are ‘Saya Sayang Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’, ‘Boikot Barangan Cina DAP’, ‘Media PJ Selatan’, ‘Anti Bersih’ and ‘Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary Idola Kami’.

Of these, the posting for the largest page alone - ‘Saya Sayang Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’ with over 188,500 “Likes” - has been shared more than 400 times with and “Liked” by over 1,800 people.

While most of the 600-plus comments about the posting were positive, the campaign theme left many of its female supporters puzzled and asked whether they should wear a baju kurung instead.

“Women are also welcome,” the page’s administrator replied, “But there is no need for you to wear songkok... Women can wear baju kurung, kebarung, or kebaya. You are encouraged to wear a headscarf as well and cover your aurat properly.”

Others criticise the campaign

However, there are others who criticised the campaign and said more attention should be given to matters of faith instead.

“No need to campaign to wear songkok. There are benefits to wearing a headscarf.

“(Let’s) invite (Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s wife) Rosmah Mansor and (former prime minister) Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s wife too,” said Facebook user Nuar Alias, while some others advocated wearing a kopiah or other religious dress.

Today, the administrator of the Facebook page expressed regret that Malays are attacking the campaign although he was expecting opposition from pro-DAP and pro-Chinese websites.

“I prefer to follow the example of Prophet Muhammad’s (Sunnah) mentally if I can’t do it outwardly.

“Malays who claim that we should launch a ‘Wear Robes’ campaign just because it is part of the Sunnah are actually supporters of liberalism brought by Pakatan Rakyat,” the administrator said.

- malaysiakini.com