PKR lawmaker Hassan Karim has backed Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in taking a stern stance against those fanning racial and religious tensions.
He said such action was wise to preserve the peace.
"Anwar's advice is very apt, for the government to act sternly against anyone who irresponsibly tries to fan religious and racial sentiments and causes tensions and threats to public orders and national security," Hassan (above) said in a statement today.
However, the outspoken MP cautioned that Anwar must not repeat past wrongs by Dr Mahathir Mohamad, particularly Ops Lalang.
Ops Lalang was a crackdown in 1987 - ostensibly to prevent racial riots - which saw over 100 political leaders and activists arrested without detention under the now-defunct Internal Security Act.
The action was deemed politically motivated as Mahathir was both prime minister and the home minister then.
However, he denied being responsible for the crackdown, saying it was independently carried out by the police.
Malaysia is currently facing a similar situation, albeit with a role reversal, as opposition and right-wing groups fan a narrative that Malays and Islam are being undermined by the Anwar-led government.
Mahathir is among those peddling this narrative.
On Friday, Anwar said there will be zero tolerance towards any attempts to incite racial or religious sentiments in the country, and urged the authorities to be on the lookout for provocateurs.
Hassan hoped that Anwar would avoid using draconian laws such as the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma) to tackle the situation, and would instead find alternatives.
"As an alternative, use a more prudent approach, be diplomatic, negotiate, and engage with the leaders of opposition parties and civil society groups which are now openly opposing Anwar's government.
"Use negotiation tactics, not war," the PKR lawmaker said.
His statement was in response to Mahathir's latest swipe at Anwar, where the nonagenarian accused the latter of being more oppressive to Malays than British colonials.
This came after a "Malay proclamation" event the former premier was supposed to attend had to repeatedly be called off due to venue cancellations.
Race card
Hassan lamented Mahathir's remarks, saying he did not know how Anwar had wronged the former premier.
However, he said it was not uncharacteristic for the Putra advisor to resort to the race card when he is on the back foot.
"Why talk about defending Malays now, when a long opportunity (to help the Malays) was given to him as prime minister for over two decades?
"Anwar has been prime minister for four months. What Malay interests has he sold? The answer is none," he added.
Hassan said Malay rights in the Federal Constitution, the Malay language, Islam, and the Malay rulers all remained under Anwar, even while the premier championed the rights of other races.
Earlier today, DAP chairperson Anthony Loke also lamented Mahathir resorting to racial tactics and said the former premier should be playing a more productive role instead.
"He is supposed to use his influence to unite the people of various races, and help to attract more investors to develop the country, not play up fictitious racial sentiments," he had said during a press conference in Penang. - Mkini
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