Umno Youth demands answer from Saifuddin on lawyer's appointment

An Umno leader has joined in the calls from PAS to question Communications and Multimedia Minister Saifuddin Abdullah's appointment of human rights lawyer Eric Paulsen as a member of the ministry's consultative council.

Umno Youth chief Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki in a statement urged Saifuddin to clarify the basis of Paulsen's appointment, accusing the latter of being known for statements that allegedly insulted Islam and Muslims as a whole.

"He (Paulsen) has repeatedly hurt the feelings of Muslims through his writing, for instance by accusing Jakim of promoting extremism in Friday prayer sermons, mocking Syariah laws and blaming religious schools for being a training ground for religious fanatics," claimed Asyraf.

When contacted, Paulsen once again declined comment, after he had yesterday said it would be better to not respond to critics from PAS who urged Saifuddin to reconsider and revoke his appointment as one of 15 council members.

Aside from PAS Youth deputy chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari, PAS Information chief Kamaruzaman Mohamad also spoke out against Paulsen's role in the Communications and Multimedia Consultative Council, alongside academicians and other industry stakeholders.

Commenting further, Asyraf said if Paulsen's appointment was made based on his background as a human rights lawyer, there are many other candidates with more moderate views in line with the Eastern values and norms.

"Umno Youth hopes that Saifuddin will not repeat his mistake while with Harapan that actively promoted the agenda to ratify Icerd, the Rome Statute and other international human rights conventions that have the potential to disrupt the stability of our multi-ethnic and multi-religious nation," he said.

Last year, PAS had raised similar objections against Paulsen's appointment as Malaysia's representative to the Asean Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights 2019-2021, also by Saifuddin as the then foreign minister under the Harapan administration.

Bersatu joins calls against Paulsen

Aside from PAS and Umno, calls against Paulsen's new role were also made by Saifuddin's Bersatu colleagues.

Taking to Twitter, Bersatu supreme council member Mohd Rafiq Naizamohideen echoed attacks against Paulsen's allegedly extremist views that purportedly insulted Islam.

"Eric Paulsen's appointment should be revoked as he is an extremist lawyer who often makes statements that insult Islam," claimed the Paya Rumput state assemblyperson.

Meanwhile, Bersatu Youth exco member Muzzammil Ismail also registered the wing's objections, warning of a possible public backlash against PN.

"We cannot repeat past mistakes that in the end led to a deficit in public trust.

"Don't let people accuse the PN government of failing to walk the talk with this appointment," he said.

Aside from his formal appointments, Paulsen is also known as the co-founder and current adviser to human rights NGO Lawyers for Liberty. - Mkini