For Zahid, character assassination is a simple matter – Ravinder Singh

Zahid is just taking his philosophy one step further in asking Mat Sabu to prove that the latter does not have any links with the Shia Islamic sect.

Not long ago, he was reported to have said “shoot first, talk later” when talking of policemen shooting “gangsters” gangland style. He got away with that one.

It is not that he himself believes Mat Sabu is a Shia, or that he has any evidence at all about his accusations about Mat Sabu.

It is about character-assassinating someone who has some political clout that could pose a challenge to the incumbents in power.

Having made the accusation, which was reported widely, the blind followers of those in power will believe that their leader would not be telling lies. So among this group, Mat Sabu’s name is damaged.

That is what was wanted – damage someone’s reputation and standing by any means, for in politics, even foul actions are considered legitimate, at least in Malaysia.      

When people laughed at the “solid evidence” presented, the law was changed to suit the occasion. The onus was put on the accused to prove his innocence. Well, if Mat Sabu’s guilt is already proven by the mere words of Zahid, just haul Mat Sabu to prison and lock him up. Why is he being allowed to roam freely?

He should be behind bars until he proves his innocence. He is a dangerous person, is he not?

Now it is Zahid’s dignity that is at stake – if he has any. He should not be turning the law on its head and asking Mat Sabu to prove his innocence.

Not only is he making a fool of himself, but he is also trying to make a fool of the people by wanting them to believe that the onus is on Mat Sabu to prove he is not a Shiite!

What does it matter what one’s belief is so long as the person is of good character and does no harm to anybody, does not engage in corruption and other irreligious and unethical acts? Can Zahid tell us if all the followers of the Sunnah Wal Jamaah sect are persons of better character than Mat Sabu?  

Applying Zahid’s creative licence should we not ask the former Chief of the Election Commission to prove that he is innocent of committing electoral fraud as he had himself proudly proclaimed that the delineation exercises he carried out were done in such a way to ensure that the Malays remain in power, totally ignoring the 13th Schedule of the Federal Constitution that says that the number of electors in each constituency should be approximately equal, which the EC unashamedly, unethically and even illegally interpreted to mean that even 15 was approximately equal to 1?    

In short, Zahid’s antics remind me of school bullies.

*Ravinder Singh reads The Malaysian Insider.