PN can't talk policy, using racial narratives - deputy minister

Perikatan Nasional (PN) was accused of playing up racial and religious sentiments because they are not able to hold a discourse on policies and initiatives.

Deputy Communications and Digital Minister Teo Nie Ching said this in response to a report that revealed there is a growing trend of youths online warning against kafir harbi taking over the country.

The report, by the Centre of Independent Journalism (CIJ), was a result of social media monitoring. Kafir harbi refers to non-Muslims against whom war can be waged upon.

“In the end, CIJ concluded that the main actor in spreading this hateful sentiment, if not the one to start it, was PAS and its president Abdul Hadi Awang.

“I am not surprised if the same sentiment is being played up now, at a bigger scale even,” said Teo.

“PAS and PN do not have the ability to discuss policies and initiatives for the sake of the country so they use racial and religious sentiments to play up the rakyat’s emotions, with the purpose of getting short-term political benefits,” said the deputy minister when contacted by Malaysiakini today.

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang

She warned that PAS and PN’s actions would have long-term effects that would be difficult to resolve.

By allowing their supporters to misuse social media and sow hatred among Malaysians, Teo said, PAS and PN are betraying the aspirations of a multicultural country built on the diversity of race, religion, and culture.

The DAP national publicity secretary pointed out that among DAP’s 40 MPs, there are three lawmakers who are Muslims: Bangi MP Syahredzan Johan, Bentong MP Young Syefura Othman, and Bukit Bendera MP Syerleena Abdul Rashid.

Teo said there are also many Muslim activists who are pushing back against the efforts to make DAP the bogeyman.

‘Kafir harbi got 40’

One example of the recent “kafir harbi” narrative on social media flagged by CIJ includes a repost of a TikTok video featuring PAS’ Pantai Merdeka candidate Shahrir Long.

In the video, Shahrir said “kafir harbi got 40 (parliamentary seats)”, likely referring to DAP which has 40 seats in the Dewan Rakyat.

The Twitter user who reposted that video, however, questioned how Shahrir could call the 40 MPs kafir harbi when some of those MPs are Muslims.

Teo also thanked social media platform TikTok as she believes it doing its best to avoid being used as a political tool.

“Searches on TikTok so far show no results related to the ‘kafir harbi’ narrative. I am sure TikTok is doing its best not to become a tool of party politics and so I would like to say thank you,” the deputy minister added. - Mkini