Responding to calls to strip A Samad Said’s national laureate title, PAS warns the government against making the former as a scapegoat to divert the attention from fuel price hike.
In a statement, party information chief Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man described the proposal made by Culture and Multimedia Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek against Pak Samad as a great insult.
“Can the government deny the contribution of Pak Samad in enriching and lifting the status of Malay literature just because his struggle today is not government-friendly?” he questioned.
Tuan Ibrahim also spoke highly of Pak Samad saying his leadership and courage, against electoral fraud through Bersih, even at his advance age, is now an inspiration to the people, especially the younger generation.
“In the people's heart, Pak Samad is not only a laureate but a hero because of his commitment to struggle for his principles and government wrongdoings,” he added.
Pak Samad was recently arrested under the Sedition Act 1948 for allegedly flying the Sang Saka Malaya flag on the eve of Merdeka celebrations at Dataran Merdeka.
However, the manner in which he was arrested during midnight has drawn flak from the public, who accused the police of being insensitive and disrespectful to the elderly.
Tuan Ibrahim, who is also Pahang PAS commissioner, opined that there was nothing wrong in flying a different flag.
“There are other gatherings that bring many flags from other countries, but this does not mean to insult our own flag,” he said.
The move to arrest on every little perceived fault has turned the country into a police state, he said, when dialogue, discussion and other mediums could be used to clarify the situation.
Meanwhile, the 81-year-old Pak Samad welcomed the suggestion to strip his national laureate title with open arms.
“In fact, I even welcome the revocation of my citizenship should they decide to do so,” he was quoted saying by Malaysiakini.
- harakahdaily.net
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