Be afraid, be very afraid of Taliban Umno

Utusan Malaysia published a front-page story titled “Teo Nie Ching makes trouble again” along with a picture of her performing aerobic exercises with men and women in the Masjid Taman Cheras Jaya compound at the recent Maal Hijrah carnival. The newspaper accused her of wearing tight-fitting clothes. She is pictured wearing a white T-shirt and track pants, as were the other Muslim participants.

By Jackson Ng (former journalist)

After 53 years of Merdeka (Independence), the Barisan Nasional (BN), especially the MCA, never fails to constantly warn non-Malays of PAS’ strive for the implementation of hudud laws under an Islamic state. But what the MCA fails to condemn is BN-Umno’s declaration that Malaysia is already an Islamic state.

And since Malaysia is already an Islamic state, what is there for non-Malays to fear anymore? Unless you are saying PAS and Umno’s Islamic state are different. This is illogical because the Malays in PAS and Umno profess the same religion – Islam.

And Islamic laws are only applicable to Muslims, NOT non- Muslims.

What is very clear today is that Malaysians, especially non- Muslims, must be very afraid of Taliban Umno. The Umno-controlled Utusan Malaysia on Thursday (Dec 30, 2010) continued with its fanatical Taliban-like attacks on DAP’s Serdang MP Teo Nie Ching.

Utusan Malaysia published a front-page story titled “Teo Nie Ching makes trouble again” along with a picture of her performing aerobic exercises with men and women in the Masjid Taman Cheras Jaya compound at the recent Maal Hijrah carnival. The newspaper accused her of wearing tight-fitting clothes. She is pictured wearing a white T-shirt and track pants, as were the other Muslim participants.

In August, BN politicians and Muslim groups criticised Teo over her controversial surau visit, after Utusan Malaysia published a front-page picture of her, with her hair uncovered, addressing those praying at the Al-Huda Surau in Kajang Sentral.

Such fanatical religious attacks will surely further frighten away both local and foreign investors, but that is of little concern to the Umno-led BN ruling coalition.

Clearly, BN-Umno is bent on retaining ruling power at whatever cost. Its behaviour and continuous tolerance with Utusan Malaysia’s constant and consistent religious and racial attacks speaks volume of its intentions.

It is also timely to point out that the Umno-friendly Malay rights group Perkasa had also demanded that Syariah laws be enacted to ban non-Muslims from entering mosques and suraus. In its attacks, Perkasa must have forgotten or conveniently left out MCA, Gerakan and MIC leaders who have also been entering mosques to attend community functions.

However, Pakatan Rakyat (PR) leaders, including PAS spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat, had defended Teo over her mosque visit. Teo was reported to have said that although her act may cost her party Malay votes, she would continue engaging Muslim voters through community functions whenever she is invited by a mosque in her constituency.

The fact that there are Muslims and mosques willing to invite Teo to grace community functions show that there are many
rational Muslims or Malays who refuse to ape the ways of Taliban Umno Malays.

There is then, still hope for a progressive and truly 1Malaysia to be realised.

But, do be afraid, be very afraid of Taliban Umno and Taliban Utusan Malaysia.