Don’t buy into race, religious rhetoric, warns veterans’ group

Ragananthini Vethasalam Ragananthini Vethasalam Updated 7 years ago · Published on 23 Apr 2019 5:56PM · 4 Comments

National Patriot Association Brig-Jen (Rtd) Mohamed Arshad Raji says Malaysians should not buy into the racial and religious rhetoric often spouted by politicians to push their agendas. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, April 23, 2019.

AFTER decades of politicians playing up racial and religious rhetoric for their own political agendas, Malaysians should now be more sensible when faced with offensive statements by those in power, said Brig-Jen (Rtd) Mohamed Arshad Raji.

The president of the National Patriot Association (Patriots) said Malaysia simply could not move forward if its people continue to dwell on the differences in race and religion, adding that such sentiments are “dangerous”.

“There is no way we can go on harping on the issue of race and religion,” he told The Malaysian Insight recently.

Asked how this could be overcome, he said the only way to counter such narratives was for the people to speak up against it.

“Patriot has voiced our opposition against those who play up racial and religious sentiments on several occasions,” said Arshad, urging other non-governmental groups to do likewise.

He cited the example of several leaders from Islamist party PAS who had recently condemned the celebration of Songkran, the Thai new year, as offensive to Muslims.

Earlier this month, PAS Semanggol MP Razman Zakaria’s had slammed a planned Songkran celebration by the Siamese community in Pengkalan Hulu, saying it caused unease among the Muslim community.

Batu Kawan PAS Youth information and preaching unit chief Nizar Ahmad Tajudin had also labelled Songkran celebrations a “pesta maksiat” (vice festival).

Arshad told The Malaysian Insight that festivals such as Songkran (water festival) celebrated by the Siamese community had in no way created unease for the general Muslim community.

“In the case of Songkran where do you find in the Quran that you cannot do that?” he said, adding that PAS leaders should not live in a “cocoon of their own religion and culture”.

“Patriot asks them to live and conduct themselves as caring and understanding Malaysians.” – April 23, 2019.

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Comments

  • Well said Brig-Jen (Rtd) Mohamed Arshad Raji. Each culture should be allowed to practise what has been passed down by the earlier generations. If someone does not like it, just don't participate or look at it. As simple as that, instead of asking others to stop practising it just because you don't like it. Stop being bullies.

    Posted 7 years ago by T E · Reply

  • we need more patriot like you sir. thank you

    Posted 7 years ago by . . · Reply

  • Sir, you are a torch bearer of our Harapan.

    Posted 7 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • Sir, you are a torch bearer of our Harapan.

    Posted 7 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply