Hindraf dismisses Bertindak’s ‘shallow thinking’

Waythamoorthy says Bertindak's actions seem to be borne out of recent controversy over a poem written by Perlis mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin in support of Zakir Naik.

PETALING JAYA: The Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) has taken a sympathetic view on the call by a Malay-Muslim movement for its ban, saying it was obvious that the grouping are “lost with shallow thinking and seeking cheap publicity”.

Referring to Barisan Bertindak Melayu Islam (Bertindak) calling for Hindraf to be banned because it was “racist, extremist and a threat to national security”, P Waythamoorthy advised them to better understand the rights enshrined in the Federal Constitution.

“My advice to this group of 22 organisations is go read the Federal Constitution and the laws of our country to understand better what is the true meaning of freedom of expression and the right to practice religion in peace and harmony.

“Just because an organisation like Hindraf stands up for the rights of non-Muslims does not mean we are against Muslims,” the Hindraf chairman said in a statement today.

He added that it was amusing that Bertindak wants the dreaded Internal Security Act (ISA) to be revived just because it considered him “a threat to national security”.

Yesterday, a spokesman for Bertindak, Mohd Khairul Azam Abdul Aziz, called Waythamoorthy a “dangerous individual”, and warned him not to interfere in other religions’ activities.

“The emergency meeting attended by Malay Muslim NGOs today strongly condemns the audacity of certain individuals from Hindraf who are clearly trying to disrupt public peace.

“This meeting carries the slogan ‘Melayu Bangkit’ (Rise Up Malays) to remind and give a stern warning to Waythamoorthy, as well as those who act like him, not to touch on the rights of Muslims and Malays because this may cause another May 13 incident to happen,” Khairul said at a press conference which was also attended by Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali.

Bertindak is made up of 22 organisations, including Perkasa, the Muslim Consumers Association of Malaysia (PPIM), Pertubuhan Muafakat Sejahtera Masyarakat Malaysia, Federation of Malay Students Union (GPMS) and Persatuan Pembela Islam.

Waythamoorthy said Bertindak’s formation and statements seem to be borne out of the recent controversy over the poem written by Perlis mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin on his Facebook page and which was criticised by various non-Muslim organisations aside from some Muslims.

“It is clear this new group of 22 organisations are desperately trying to defend the indefensible Perlis mufti who made a fool of himself and committed the serious offence of inciting racial hatred against the non-Muslims, for which a police investigation is pending,” Waythamoorthy said.

The poem, which has since been taken down, was believed to be directed at Hindus opposed to the presence of controverial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik in Malaysia.

“Laws are laws and no one is above the law including the Perlis mufti and Zakir Naik.

“Why bend backwards to protect a foreigner who is undesirable in Malaysia, whose presence has caused so much racial hatred, and ill feelings among the multiracial population in the country,” the former deputy minister said of the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) founder who is also believed to be under investigation after Hindu NGOs filed police reports against him for inciting racial hatred in Malaysia.

Waythamoorthy said the actions of Bertindak is akin to the Malay proverb “jangan kerana nyamuk seekor kelambu dibakar” (which translates literally to “burning the mosquito net for the sake of getting one mosquito”).

“Let us be Malaysians first and unite in our efforts to build a peaceful Malaysia.

“Do not stoke racial hatred for political mileage. No one is against the Muslims in this country. In fact we all love to live in peace and harmony,” Waythamoorthy said.