Takiyuddin: Ramasamy wrong, multi-cultural Malaysia thrives in PAS states

 

PAS has criticised P Ramasamy for claiming that the Islamist party’s ideology was antithetical to the national goals of unity and social harmony among different cultures.

In a statement, PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan said his party has proven that multi-culturalism thrived in Kelantan, Terengganu, and Kedah.

“(Ramasamy’s) claim that the religious obligations of the Malays were an obstacle to national unity is defective and goes against reality.

“It is clear that he cannot hide his prejudice against Islam and also the Malays who make up the majority,” said Takiyuddin (above, right).

Takiyuddin accused Ramasamy (above), who is Penang deputy chief minister II, of doing so to cover up for Putrajaya's failures and urged the latter to emulate Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Karim, who does not shy away from criticising the government.

On Saturday, Ramasamy, drawing upon the ideas of Antonio Gramsci, urged Putrajaya to challenge PAS’ “cultural hegemony”.

“For Gramsci, cultural counter-hegemony must precede the class struggle. If not, the old ideas will come back to reassert the dominance of the capitalist system.

“In Malaysia, it is not even about the relevance or irrelevance of class struggle, but more about defeating ideologies that stand in the way of national unity and interracial harmony,” wrote Ramasamy.

Ramasamy argued a “cultural” approach was necessary because Pakatan Harapan and BN cannot compete with PAS on religious matters.

“The more religion is used to challenge PAS, the more radical it might become,” he said. - Mkini