Drawing inspiration from a Labour MP censuring British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in the House of Commons over the latter's disparaging remarks about Muslim women donning the hijab, DAP lawmaker Charles Santiago urged Malaysian politicians to adopt a similar conviction.
In a Twitter posting this evening, the Klang MP posted a video of Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi questioning when Johnson would apologise for his derogatory and racist remarks.
“Excellent. Must watch hate crime debate at the UK Parliament. Everyone should watch this incredibly powerful moment,” Charles said.
Excellent. Must watch on hate crime debate at the UK Parliment. @jeremycorbyn: Everyone should watch this incredibly powerful moment.
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Speaking to Malaysiakini later, the DAP lawmaker said the play of religion and fanning racial sentiments have long dominated the Malaysian society.
“Before, we conveniently blamed Umno and BN. But it is happening under Pakatan Harapan as well. Unfortunately, some politicians from both camps continue to stoke hatred as a way of remaining in power or appealing to their power base,” he added.
Describing this as irresponsible behaviour, Charles said the government must send a stern warning to those who indulge in inflammatory remarks as this can further divide the nation.
“MPs need to stand up on these issues, even if it does not concern his or her faith or religion. In some sense, the oath that we take as MPs require us to protect all religions.
“An attack on one faith needs to be perceived as an attack on all faiths. Thus we need to stand up against hate speech and attempts to divide society,” he added.
DAP is no stranger to hate campaigns and fake news, before and after becoming part of the ruling government, as its detractors often accuse its leaders of undermining Islam and the position of the Malays.
Whereas, others have criticised its perceived lack of protest regarding certain policies and decisions of the Harapan government, likening DAP to how MCA operated in BN under the leadership of Umno.
A surge in hate crimes after Johnson's comments
Meanwhile, Tammanjeet courted applause in the House of Commons for his passionate question, during which he also highlighted the abused faced for wearing the Turban.
“Mr Speaker, if I decide to wear a turban, or you decide to wear a cross, or he decides to wear a kippah or a skullcap, or she decides to wear a hijab or a burqa, does that mean it is open season for Right honourable members of this House to make derogatory and divisive remarks about our appearance.
“For those of us, who from a young age have had to endure and face up to being called names such as 'towel heads' or 'Taliban' or coming from 'bongo-bongo land', we can appreciate full well the hurt and pain felt by already vulnerable Muslim women when they are described as looking like'bank robbers' and 'letterboxes'...
“So rather than hide behind sham and whitewash investigations, when will the prime minister finally apologise for his derogatory and racist remarks...
“Racist remarks, Mr Speaker, which have led to a spike in hate crime. And giving the increasing prevalence of such incidents within his party, when will the prime minister finally order an inquiry into Islamophobia within the Conservative Party, something which he and his chancellor promised on national television,” he said.
On Sept 2, the Guardian quoted monitoring group Tell Mama as stating that Johnson's article regarding the hijab led to an increase in anti-Muslim attacks and incidents of abuse.
According to Tell Mama, in the week following the article, anti-Muslim incidents increased by 375 percent – from eight incidents the previous week, to 38 in the following.
In the article, Johnson said he felt “fully entitled” to expect women to remove face coverings when talking to him during his surgeries, and that schools and universities should be able to take the same approach if a student “turns up … looking like a bank robber.”
Describing the hijab as “oppressive”, Johnson said it was “absolutely ridiculous that people should choose to go around looking like letter boxes.”
Similarly, in Malaysia, politicians harping on race and religion for political mileage have been blamed for sowing the seeds of discord among the various races. - Mkini
Oh c'mon get real, who do you think started it?
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