Gopeng MP Tan Kar Hing has chastised Rais Yatim after the latter accused a pro-China reunification group of being an unregistered society promoting communism in Malaysia.
He vouched for the group’s legitimacy and said the former Dewan Negara president should rely on facts rather than an unverified video to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings and tensions.
“This type of baseless allegation is reminiscent of the McCarthyism era in the United States, where ideological labelling was used to suppress dissent and target specific groups.
“Such an approach contradicts the principles of rationality and the rule of law in a democratic society,” Tan said in a statement today.
He was responding to media reports yesterday that Rais lodged a police report against the Malaysian Association for Promotion of the Peaceful Reunification of China after watching a brief video about them.
Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain has vowed a comprehensive investigation against the group and warned against threatening public order in the country.
“Malaysia has sternly rejected communist ideology since 1948, and any form of promotion and glorification of such beliefs can be classified as a threat to public order and national unity,” he said.
However, Tan said the group is a registered non-profit under the Registrar of Societies to promote friendship and cultural exchanges between China and Malaysia.
He said the group also aligns with Malaysia’s longstanding “One China” policy of rejecting Taiwanese independence and supporting China’s sovereignty over the island.
He also highlighted that China has longstanding good relations with Malaysia, being this country’s largest trading partner for many years and having deep cooperation in education, technology, healthcare, and culture.
“As public figures, we must be cautious and responsible in making statements to avoid misleading or unsettling the public. Given today’s uncertain global landscape, we must value domestic stability and harmony even more.
“We should foster an open and rational public discourse, embracing inclusivity and reason to guide our diverse society toward a more positive and progressive future,” Tan added. - Mkini
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