Academic: Where Teresa erred, and why Akmal only errs

It is disheartening that the polemic over the halal certification comes in the wake of the heartwarming visit of Pope Francis to Indonesia, which was a lesson in interfaith relations and tolerance, ruminated academic Tajuddin Rasdi.

However, the professor in architecture believes that DAP vice-chairperson Teresa Kok could have exercised a “little more wisdom” when commenting on the matter.

“I am not questioning her wisdom on other issues.

“But it must be understood that Islam is no longer a sensitive matter. It has become a volatile matter in Malaysia. This is where I believe she had erred,” he told Malaysiakini.

Tajuddin said instead of voicing out her views on the halal certification proposal, Kok could have let a Muslim DAP lawmaker or leader do so, or make a joint statement with others.

“She has every right as an elected representative to safeguard the interests of her constituents and Malaysians of all races and creeds.

Academic Tajuddin Rasdi

“In the current Malaysian political context, race and religion serve as express lanes to stardom and there is a long line of people who are waiting to exploit this.

“So, a certain degree of stratagem is required when handling such issues and to prevent the nation from being sidetracked when there are more pressing issues at hand,” he added.

Tajuddin also believes Kok could have been more circumspect with her words, for example, her statement that the halal certification would invite “global ridicule” was not the “wisest of actions”.

This is not the first time the academic has called on non-Muslim politicians to exercise caution when dabbling in Islamic matters.

During a podcast in May, he said their failure to respond in a “strategic manner” tends to exacerbate the situation.

‘Akmal represents worst of the Malays’

As for Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh, Tajuddin, who was critical of the latter when the KK Mart fireworks erupted earlier in the year, did not mince his words.

“Even a Datuk title has not changed him. He is still up to his old tricks and once again has proved that he will not change.

Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh

“Akmal represents the worst of the Malays, and since I am of the opinion that he will never say the right things, or at least until he uses race and religion as launchpads to rise through the political hierarchy, I prefer not to waste more of my breath on him,” he surmised.

Tajuddin was commenting on the medical doctor-turned-politician, who is known for his surgical crassness, in calling Kok “old” and saying he asked the “government to prepare a non-halal logo to stick on her forehead”.

Kok courted flak when she called for a review of the proposal to make halal certification mandatory for restaurants and companies that do not serve or deal with pork and alcohol.

She said, if implemented, it could become a burden to businesses and make Malaysia an object of ridicule abroad.

However, the Seputeh MP, who is being investigated over her remarks, maintained that she did not disrespect Islam. - Mkini