PAS rep calls for ‘all-out war’ against extremism, racism

Parit Buntar MP Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa is urging Malaysians to oppose racism and religious extremism, which has become a worrisome trend in the country. – The Malaysian Insider pic, September 26, 2014.

The rising racism and religious extremism in the country must be opposed by all Malaysians or else it will destroy the nation, a PAS lawmaker told an international law conference today.

Parit Buntar MP Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa said this trend was a cause for concern and Malaysians, irrespective of their race and religion, must tackle the issue at its source.

"It does not matter whether the extremist is a Muslim, Christian, Hindu, or Malay, Chinese or Indian. We must wage an all-out war," he said in the talk titled "National Unity and Harmony: Promoting Respect and Strength in Diversity".

Mujahid, who is also a PAS central committee member, was speaking at the International Malaysia Law Conference in Kuala Lumpur organised by the Malaysian Bar.

He said political parties from both sides of the divide must learn to be inclusive, or become history if they refused to adapt to changes.

"They will become irrelevant or worse, a dinosaur.  Umno will be referred to as a species by future generations. But I will stop here," said Mujahid as he moved on to his next point.

Mujahid, who is also a member of the National Unity Council, said politicians should aspire to be statesmen to take the country and the people forward.

"Don't think about the next general election, but about the next generation."

He said everyone must care for each other, and transcend race and religion to offer help.

"For example, the Malays must help the Chinese, and the Muslims aid the Christians, and vice versa. Remember, we are one, single human race."

He said there was no such thing as a superior race who lords over others, adding that such an attitude would not promote unity and harmony.

Mujahid conceded that there were a lot of misconceptions about his faith, but said history had proven that Islam could co-exist with races and religions.

"Nothing is wrong with the religion, but the people. In Malaysia, we have to be practical to tackle diversity of race and religion."

He believed dialogue could help people better understand each other, and called on the media to proactively promote unity, instead of sensationalising events to sell their stories.

"The media must be free and responsible, and give space to accommodate the views of different parties."

Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar said the Sedition Act must be repealed as promised by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak in July 2012.

"It is definitely against free speech and democracy," she said, adding that the law was not legislated by the Malaysian parliament.

She said Malayans enjoyed more freedom between 1945 and 1957, when they were allowed to assemble and express their views.

“Public rallies were held to reject the formation of Malayan Union in 1946,” she added, and questioned if legislation was needed to manage race relations in Malaysia.

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia law professor Dr Shad Saleem Faruqi said the Federal Constitution provided adequate safeguards to protect the rights of Malays and non-Malays.

"However, over the years, the signs of a divided and fragmented society have caught up with us."

He said the nation must revert to the spirit of the 1957 and 1963 constitutions, when the Federation of Malaya attained independence, and Malaysia was formed together with Sabah and Sarawak.

"There can be no hopeless state. Only people are hopeless about them."

Saleem also said the entire education system needed a revamp and constitutional literacy had to be improved.

- TMI