Kit Siang slams govt silence following Malay Rulers’ statement

PETALING JAYA: DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang today slammed the government for its “pin-drop silence” on recent controversial issues, even after a statement by the Malay Rulers condemning extreme and divisive acts in the country.

In a statement today, he said the rulers should be lauded for their expression of concern over the eroding unity and harmony in Malaysia.

However, he questioned the silence of Prime Minister Najib Razak and cabinet members since the rulers’ statement two days ago.

“Malaysians are entitled to ask why the pin-drop silence from Prime Minister Najib Razak and the cabinet in the last two days, and whether the concern of the Malay Rulers was top of the agenda of the weekly cabinet meeting yesterday. If not, why not; and if yes, the outcome of such cabinet deliberations.”

In their statement on Tuesday, the rulers had condemned recent controversies including that of the Muslims-only laundrette in Johor and a similar establishment in Perlis, saying such acts went “beyond all acceptable standards of decency”.

They said these actions risked the harmony within Malaysia’s multi-religious and multiracial society, and that the damaging implications of such acts became more severe when they were erroneously associated with or committed in the name of Islam.

The owner of the Johor laundrette came under heavy fire after reports surfaced that he had put up a sign saying “Only For Muslims” outside his shop.

The issue sparked intense debate on social media and earned the operator a reprimand from Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, who told the owner to open his laundry in Afghanistan if he wanted to continue with his Muslims-only business policy.

Taking the cabinet members to task for their silence, Lim said it appeared that they had forgotten both the bedrock principles of nation-building enshrined in the Federal Constitution and the principles of the Rukunegara.

“When will Najib and the government break their silence on the Malay Rulers’ statement?” he said.

The Gelang Patah MP also asked if all political parties represented in Parliament were prepared to reaffirm their support and allegiance to the constitution and the Rukunegara when Parliament reconvenes on Oct 23. -FMT