Malay rights NGO Perkasa's plan to wage war against MIC candidate in the next general election over Islamic preacher Zakir Naik was an act to humiliate the BN component party, said party vice-president M Saravanan.
"This is totally unacceptable. How does MIC opposing Zakir be construed as being anti-Islam or anti-Malay.
"This is certainly an act to humiliate MIC and undermine the sacrifices and contributions of MIC leaders and members. It clearly shows the shallow mindset of Perkasa leaders defending a non-Malaysian over Malaysians," he said in a statement.
Perkasa had declared "war" against MIC and announced a campaign to reject MIC starting this Friday at its president Dr S Subramanian's constituency of Segamat.
This came after MIC treasurer S Vell Paari's call for the Indian national Islamic preacher to be investigated over allegations that he was recruiting members for Islamic State (IS) in Malaysia.
Commenting further, Saravanan stressed that his party has been very supportive and cooperative in the BN coalition, all the way.
"MIC leaders work very closely with leaders of other BN component parties to preserve unity among all races in Malaysia. Over the years MIC leaders had served Malay and Muslims in their local communities and hardly or never an MIC leader spoken out against the spirit of Malaysia.
"We in MIC and the Hindu community in Malaysia are upset with Zakir as he openly and outrightly condemns Hinduism.
"MIC of the opinion that Zakir (photo) controversial views on religion will and shall destroy the very foundation of our country's peace and stability. How can we condone and tolerate such a person?" he asked.
Saravanan said MIC did not oppose many Muslim scholars who visited Malaysia to preach Islam as they did not belittle and humiliate other religions and beliefs, he said.
"The evil minded Zakir is able to tear apart the fabric of our society.
"Furthermore, MIC as the sole party representing Malaysian Indians has been entrusted with the task to protect the beliefs, culture and languages of Indians in this country. Hence our stand without prejudice represents the voices from our community," he added.
In a related development, a pro-Pakatan Harapan NGO had also come out in support of MIC and Vell Paari over this issue.
“We may have opposing opinions or some differences but when an Indian party like MIC is belittled or threatened by the likes of Perkasa, we will stand behind you Vell Paari,” said Malaysian Indian Progressive Association (Mipas) secretary-general S Barathidasan.
He also questioned Umno's silence on this matter instead of defending its BN partner.
'Zakir seems more important to Perkasa'
Saravanan pledged that MIC will stand by BN as one of the major component member at all costs.
"Zakir seems more important and pivotal to Perkasa members compared to fellow Malaysians who grew up with them in this country," he lamented.
Saravanan stressed that the party respects the sanctity of Islam and other religions.
"We in MIC will continue to forge the brotherhood among Malaysians and work to preserve the unity and harmony in Malaysia, not destroy it," he said.
Zakir was recently revealed to be holding a permanent resident (PR) status in Malaysia, since five years ago.
He is wanted by Indian authorities for money laundering, with a special trial court in Mumbai under India's Prevention of Money Laundering Act 2002 having issued a non-bailable warrant of arrest against Zakir.
India's National Investigation Agency (NIA) is also seeking an Interpol red notice against him.
Yesterday, Vell Paari said he was only going by what was stated by the Indian Judicial Tribunal.
The special tribunal set up by Delhi High Court had upheld the ban against Zakir's Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), finding that Zakir's speeches were provocative and derogatory.
The tribunal said Zakir's speeches had had an "enduring impact" and could have "inspired the attackers who struck at Dhaka's Holey Artisan Bakery in 2016", the Times of India reported.- Mkini
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