Parliamentarians of the Hindu faith must voice out to the government over insults against the religion by errant preachers, said David Marshel.
The pro-tem deputy president of United for the Rights of Malaysians Party (Urimai) said, otherwise, those MPs risk being kicked out in elections.
“If someone insults my mother, there is no way I will go to the person’s house. I will leave for good.
“And in this case, it involves our religion,” David (above) said during a press conference at the Kuala Lumpur-Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall today.
Also present were Global Human Rights Federation president S Shashi Kumar and lawyer-activist Siti Kasim.
Earlier this month, Muslim preacher Zamri Vinoth courted controversy after he likened Hindus chanting “vel vel” during Thaipusam to those who are “possessed or intoxicated” on Facebook.
Despite Meta removing his controversial post on March 9, he re-uploaded it, drawing brickbats from politicians across the aisle.
On March 12, Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain confirmed that 894 reports were lodged against Zamri but it is unclear if any action has been taken.
‘Nothing to lose’
David pointed out that if the MPs are unable to act on the matter, the people would have to rise to defend their rights.
“If they refuse to do so, let it be. It’s time for us (the people) to decide.
“Soon, there will be a by-election in Ayer Kuning, and then in Malacca and Johor.
“The Indian community won’t have much to lose anyway because 85 percent of us come from the working class. We are not entrepreneurs, we don’t fear the government.
“So, we will campaign on this issue. As long they don’t take stern action, we will tell the people not to vote for this government,” he added.
‘Sorry to all non-Muslims’
Meanwhile, Siti took it upon herself to apologise to all non-Muslims over Zamri’s conduct.
“To all non-Muslims who had been insulted by the likes of Zamri, I apologise to all of you,” she said.
She also stressed that not all Muslims behave like Zamri.
“Believe me when I say that a majority of Malays and Muslims in this country don’t agree with the conduct of such preachers who like to talk bad about other races and religions.
“This is really embarrassing to rational Malays,” she added.
David, who is also the Tamilar Kural Malaysia Foundation chairperson, concurred with Siti’s view, adding he believes 90 percent of Muslims disagree with Zamri’s conduct. - FMT
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