PAS Youth has criticised Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail’s remarks on the arrest of ex-journalist Rex Tan as merely dismissive of a more serious problem of "ultra-chauvinism" amongst the ethnic Chinese community.
The wing's deputy chairperson Hafez Sabri described Saifuddin’s remarks on Tan’s arrest as a failure to defend the country’s dignity, cautioning that a lack of action would only continue to embolden those who threatened national harmony.
“If left unchecked, do not be surprised if these groups become bolder and more ‘arrogant’ (naik tocang) after this,” he said in a statement on his Facebook today.
Hafez (above) argued that Saifuddin should have issued a strong official statement to defend what he sees as the country’s core principles and dignity, particularly in relation to sensitive issues involving race, religion and royalty (3R).
He described the absence of such a statement as "deeply disappointing."
"Malaysians were asked to simply move on. No firm statement has been directed at the groups promoting this dangerous mindset," he added.
He then proceeded to link his arguments and sentiments to this, justifying it as the reason PAS has consistently rejected DAP over what he describes as “ultra-kiasu indoctrination”.
"The ultra-kiasu indoctrination driven by DAP has long seeped into the minds of segments of the Chinese community. The insolent questions raised by Tan recently merely opened the public’s eyes to this reality.
"This is precisely why PAS has been consistent in rejecting DAP," Hafez said, stressing, however, that this is not an issue of the Malays versus the Chinese.
Police ‘required to take action’
On Jan 17, Bernama quoted Saifuddin commenting on Tan’s arrest, saying that although he respected freedom of speech, such freedom should also come with responsibility.
He explained that police were required to take action when receiving complaints, and acknowledged how Tan and his former employer, Free Malaysia Today, had also publicly apologised for the journalist’s “racially insensitive remarks”.
Yesterday, he also reminded the public to respect personal boundaries while legal processes are ongoing, and to stop harassing Tan and his family.
The New Straits Times reported Saifuddin saying that the social media harassment, threats and doxxing of Tan’s personal details were “unwarranted” and had “crossed the line”.
Hafez, however, appeared to take offence at this remark.
"Respecting the ongoing legal process is one thing. Issuing a firm official statement to defend the principles and dignity of the nation is quite another," he said before proceeding to advise Malay ministers to “stop being pawns moved by DAP."
Hafez said that while no one denies the need to remind the public not to cross the line - particularly when it involves Tan’s family - what is being confronted is the ideology, and not the individual.
Uproar over journo’s arrest
Human rights and media advocacy groups recently condemned Saifuddin's justification for Tan’s arrest, which they described as “intimidation tactics” by the authorities, and a "disingenuous framing of state power”.
Speaking to Malaysiakini, the groups expressed serious concern over Saifuddin’s explanation that the police actions in Tan’s arrest were not an act of suppression, but merely “due process” to ensure compliance with the law.
On Jan 16, Tan was arrested and detained past midnight under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948 and Section 505(c) of the Penal Code, which relates to making statements with the intent to cause alarm or fear.
He is also being investigated under the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) following questions he posed to British politician George Galloway at a public lecture on Palestine in Kuala Lumpur.
Tan was released after a one-day remand, when he was detained overnight at the Dang Wangi district police station lock-up.
His remarks, which attempted to draw parallels between Palestinians and the Chinese Malaysian community, have been criticised as deeply insensitive and racially charged. - Mkini
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