Two Penang DAP leaders – Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy and Bagan Dalam assemblyperson Satees Muniandy – have denied promoting violence by "worshipping" the Kalashnikov or AK-47 assault rifle.
Ramasamy and Satees were responding to images of them paying apparent homage to a framed photo of the gun, which were uploaded on Facebook by a user named Zamri Vinoth on Tuesday.
“Ramasamy says he fights for peace, so why is he worshiping the AK-47?”
“I want to ask, is the AK-47 a symbol of peace or a symbol of violence?” Zamri asked in his Facebook posting, adding that he is only anti-violence, and not anti-DAP.
According to Ramasamy, the photos depict him and Satees at a memorial to victims of genocide.
"It was a ceremony we attended about two or three years ago, organised by several NGOs… a memorial service for those who died in the Sri Lankan ethnic conflict or victims of genocide.
"We promote peace, not violence or terrorism," he told Malaysiakini, adding that he is planning to lodge a police report against Zamri for the malicious accusation.
Backlash to Naik
Ramasamy believes that the images went viral as a result of his urging Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to deport controversial Indian preacher Zakir Naik.
Naik, now a permanent resident in Malaysia, is wanted in India for alleged money laundering, as well as inciting violence and religious tension. Naik has denied the claims.
As Satees explained, the memorial service in Butterworth was organised by an NGO in 2015.
"It was a symbolic event to mark the respect for the genocide victims and the fallen freedom fighters.
"Ignorant people are making it an issue, but it was a norm among Tamils throughout the world," he told Malaysiakini.
"It’s a non-issue to begin with. Hence, I wouldn’t want to waste time responding to the original post by a person who is a known publicity seeker.
"Anyway, since when is supporting a freedom movement akin to supporting a terrorist organisation?" he asked, referring to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
Freedom fighters
Satees said he supported the LTTE for their struggle for the self-determination of minority Tamils in Sri Lanka.
For the same reason, he also supported Hamas for its struggle to free Palestine, and likewise the Kurdish nationalist movement.
“Do you have a problem with that too?” he asked in response to Perlis Mufti Asri Zainul Ariffin – popularly known as Dr Maza – sharing Zamri’s Facebook photos and demanding a clarification.
"Will Dr Maza call those who support Hamas terrorists?
“I think the mufti should come out of his shell and look at the reality of the world order," Satees said. -Mkini
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