Dong Zong secretary-general Ng Chai Heng is supporting student group Malaysian Muslim Students Coalition (Gamis)'s right to peaceful assembly, even if the latter is calling for the Chinese educationist group to be banned.
In a Facebook posting made just as Gamis' march from Masjid Jamek to Sogo shopping complex to defend the teaching of Jawi script and call for Dong Zong to be banned got underway, Ng (photo, above) said that he did not wish to see the police infringe upon Gamis' right to peaceful assembly as was done to Dong Zong's aborted congress on the Jawi script that was planned for Dec 29.
"Dong Zong is founded on the principle that humans are created differently so we can get to know each other and also that all languages and writings are the gifts of God, which all men should cherish and cherish," said Ng.
"Therefore, we are always willing to cooperate with any party in support of multilingualism, as well as dialogue with any party that rejects these two principles," he added.
He said Dong Zong is a civilised body that respects the right to speak and assemble peacefully - as enshrined in the Federal Constitution - for all individuals and groups, including Gamis and any other parties seeking to have its own registration revoked.
"We will not threaten violence or demand for their registration to be revoked. In the spirit of liberalism - even though we disagree with what you have to say - we are willing to defend your right to speak," he said.
Ng said that should the police should not apply for a court order to restrain anti-DZ gatherings as old mistakes do not justify new ones.
However, recalling the Gamis' threat of racial violence (in a Twitter post it subsequently withdrew) Hg said that he hopes for the police to closely monitor these the rallies and not hesitate to hold anyone who threatens terrorism - either explicitly or implicitly - under criminal intimidation charges.
He added that it was the duty of both the police and the Attorney General's Chambers to protect all Malaysians against violence and intimidation.
"We hope this assembly reflects the organisers' intellectual maturity as students in higher education institutions.
"Most importantly, we hope that this assembly will also present an image that is in line with Islam, a religion that promotes peace and justice, two values are indispensable in our multi-racial and multi-religious society," said Ng.
Gamis had earlier courted controversy after tweeting an image containing the words: "Let's be with Dong Zong, repeat the May 13, 1969 incident."
Following pressure from various parties, Gamis changed the headline to "Let's Be With Dong Zong, don't repeat the May 13, 1969 incident."
Dang Wangi district police chief Mohd Fahmi Visuvanthan, when contacted, said that Gamis has yet to notify police about the upcoming rally.
"We have yet to be notified, so if they (Gamis) proceeded with the rally, that means they will violate the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012. - Mkini
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