DAP's claim malicious, Malays are never radical - Wan Fayhsal

Malays do not “cross the line” when politicking, Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal said.

Therefore, he said it is improper to blame PAS for the death threat against DAP’s Seputeh MP Teresa Kok.

“Malays have never been radical. They know their limits when politicking. Killing, or hurting people is haram (in Islam).

“We engage in a war of words, but not to the extent of endangering others, or other races. I feel that the allegation is inappropriate,” Wan Fayhsal, who is also Perikatan Nasional deputy youth chief, told Malaysiakini.

He was responding to Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng saying he was appreciative of PAS’ support for Kok following the threat against her, but at the same time, pointing out the perils of toxic politics planted by the Islamist party.

He noted that PAS leaders continue to be instrumental in sowing hatred against DAP with their vitriol, which can radicalise impressionable minds.

‘Blame the supporters’

Last week, Kok was confronted with a death threat after discovering a letter which included two bullets in her mailbox at her condominium. The letter written in red ink also contained a racist insult.

On Jan 10, a petrol bomb was hurled at the residence of Beruas MP Ngeh Koo Ham in Ayer Tawar, Perak.

Seputeh MP Teresa Kok with a warning note and two bullets.

Then in March, copies of a note warning Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming not to challenge Islam were found scattered outside his parents’ residence in Ayer Tawar, Perak.

Wah Fayhsal said it was “malicious and unfounded” to blame PAS for attacks against DAP leaders, as the incidents have yet to be proven to be politically motivated.

He said PAS was a party which cherished peace, and therefore it is not proper to associate the Islamist party with violence and chaos.

“So, DAP’s allegation (of PAS sowing discord) is not true. In fact, it is dangerous and can incur the wrath of Muslims,” he said.

Law proposed

Wan Fayhsal then slammed any form of attacks or threats, be it against the public or elected representatives.

Scattered notes warning DAP leader Nga Kor Ming to not challenge Islam.

He said he would submit a motion in Parliament, calling for a law to be drafted to protect elected representatives from threats, including those made online.

“If you see on social media, such threats are made via X, Facebook, and others. I myself have fallen victim, and the prime minister too. I think there needs to be a law to deal with this.

“Police should be empowered to act against any party threatening MPs while hiding behind fake social media accounts, without police reports being made,” Wan Fayhsal added.

Such anonymous social media presence is responsible for the radicalisation of supporters from both sides of the political divide, he said.

“It is not always the fault of the politician. Sometimes it is the supporters who cross the line, be it a DAP, PAS, or Bersatu supporter. All political parties have extreme supporters.

“(In that case), don’t blame the party, but the supporters,” he said.

“The trend is obvious on both sides. So we have to calm down, and return to the original goal of (talking about) developing the country.” - Mkini