Malaysian Muslim Students Coalition (Gamis) has admitted using a provocative headline against Chinese educationist group Dong Zong in its Twitter account but has since changed it after receiving backlash from several parties.
Gamis deputy president Mohd Zofrie Zulhilmie Ruslee said their intention was to invite people to read the statement in its Twitter thread, rather than focusing on the headline.
"Initially, we wanted to attract people to read the content (in the statement), which was urging the government to ban Dong Zong," he told Malaysiakini.
"In the statement, we did not say anything about repeating (the May 13 incident). We have no such intention, we only put it in the headline.
"But when we saw a lot of negative responses to the headline, and not to the content, we did damage control and changed (the headline) to avoid making the situation worse.
"The aim was to ban Dong Zong and not focus on the headline," Mohd Zofri added.
On Dec 24, Gamis released a statement via its Twitter account criticising Dong Zong for its plan to continue with a protest on Saturday against the teaching of the Jawi script in vernacular schools.
The original headline was: Ayuh Bersama Dong Zong, Ulangi Peristiwa 13 mei 1969 (Let's be with Dong Zong, repeat the 13 May, 1969 incident).
The headline was incorporated in an image which also featured the picture of its president, Saifullah Baiduri, clenching his fist.
However, on the same day, Gamis changed the image with a new headline — Ayuh Bersama Dong Zong, Jangan Ulangi Peristiwa 13 Mei 1969 (Let's be with Dong Zong, don't repeat the May 13, 1969 incident).
DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang had responded by urging authorities to take action against the statement.
Dong Zong central committee member Low Chee Chong had earlier explained that the event, held by Dong Zong and Jiao Zong (Dong Jiao Zong) was not a protest but an indoor event to discuss the implementation of Jawi script lessons in vernacular schools.
"This is a meeting to discuss education topics and the Jawi script issue. The meeting (is called) to express the stance (of Chinese NGOs), and is not a racial gathering," Low said.
Dong Jiao Zong came under criticism after announcing its plan to hold the Chinese Organisations Congress on Dec 28.
Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad raised concerns that such an event might court reactions from the Malay community and, ultimately, lead to chaos. - Mkini
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