NS Pakatan leaders want swift action against seditious cartoons

By Zefry Dahalan

SEREMBAN: Negeri Sembilan Pakatan Rakyat leaders today lodged a police report against the distribution of two cartoon books allegedly containing seditious articles which accuse the DAP of being anti-Islam.

The state Pakatan leaders, led by state DAP chairman Loke Siew Fook, claimed in their report that the two cartoon books, freely circulated in the state, could create racial tensions among the races in the state.

The books are clearly slanderous and seditous, said Loke after lodging the report at the district police headquarters in Seremban 2.

"The cartoon books are titled 'DAP anti-Islam' and 'Orang Melayu akan menyesal kalau...' are seditious and pose a danger for the multi-racial community.

"I urge the police to investigate the distribution of the books and those responsible for the publication,” said Loke, who is also the Rasah MP.

He added that the first book contained cartoons which claimed that DAP, if it assumes power, will stop all Islamic celebrations such as Tilawah Quran and Maulidur Rasul, stop the call for prayers (azan) in mosques and will allow ceramahs in surau.

The second book meanwhile claimed that under DAP, the federal cabinet will be made up of only Chinese ministers, with a token Malay minister.

The books also claimed that under DAP, all Malay-based parties such as Umno, PAS and PKR will have no role to play, and that Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim was DAP's tool.

Fear tactic

State PAS chief Zulkefly Mohamed Omar meanwhile said that the contents of the two books were meant to instil fear among the Malays that they would lose their rights if Pakatan comes to power.

“They are just rubbish. We also know that the books are mainly distributed in the Ampangan and Sikamat areas,” he said.

“If the allegations in the two books are true, why don't those responsible openly publish and distribute them? Why do they have to distribute them in the sly?” he asked.

Another member of the delegation, Ampangan state assemblyman Rashid Latif from PKR urged the police to act fast on their report.

"The contents of the books are very dangerous for the harmony and unity of the multiracial community we have in this state, and in the country,” he said, adding that the irresponsible publishers and distributors must face the law.

Also present was state DAP deputy chairman and Senawang state assemblymn P Gunasekaran.