DAP asks what about Shia students in Malaysia?

While the Malaysian government appears to be readying for another crackdown on Shiites, Gelang Patah MP Lim Kit Siang's political secretary, Dyana Sofya Mohd Daud, asks what about Shiites here for higher education.

She points out that thousands of Iranian international students - predominately Shiite Muslims - enrol in Malaysian universities and openly interact with their local counterparts.

"If the government is serious in combatting (Shiitism), would the international students who spent a fortune to further their studies in Malaysia, invited by our own government, be asked to quit their studies and leave the country as soon as possible? 

"Or will they be instructed to only practise their religion in private so other Muslims in Malaysia will not be confused? 

"As mentioned in Court of Appeal in October, Malaysian Muslims are prone to confusion," Dyana (left) said in a statement today, while referring to the controversial ruling on the use of the word "Allah" in a Christian publication.

Shia is the second largest denomination in Islam and considered deviant in Malaysia, where most Muslims are Sunnis. 

Dyana also asks whether the crackdown on Shiites is for Malay Muslims in Malaysia only, and if so, does it mean Muslims from other countries are not considered Muslims in Malaysia.

"Honestly, I hope that the (Shia) issue is not being played only to divert the attention of Malaysians from the real issues that are sweeping the nation currently, the high increase in the cost of living after GE 13 due to administration mismanagement by Barisan Nasional government all these years," she added.

She points out that the renewed attacks on Shiites came in the wake of a series of price hikes.

A day after the announcement of a rise in LRT and Monorail fares that will definitely affect those in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, the government announced its intention to initiate a campaign against (Shiites) in the country, she said.