Don’t bow to threats by political leaders, Siti Kasim tells Malaysians

Ragananthini Vethasalam Ragananthini Vethasalam Updated 6 years ago · Published on 23 Dec 2019 1:23PM · 8 Comments

Activist Siti Kasim says Malaysians should not be scared of threats by political leaders. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Kamal Ariffin, December 23, 2019.

MALAYSIANS should not submit to threats from political parties with personal interests, activist Siti Kasim said today.

She was referring to warnings from political leaders against Chinese education group Dong Jiao Zong to not defy cabinet’s decision on the introduction Jawi to primary students.

PAS leader Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali At-Takiri recently told Dong Zong not to proceed with its plan to hold a congress to protest against the introduction of Jawi modules in the Bahasa Melayu subject.

Khairuddin had also called on police to intervene in the group’s plans to prevent an incident similar to the Seafield temple riots in 2017 from breaking out. 

“Should we as Malaysians be scared of the threats by political parties who have their own interests?” Siti told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

“We should not submit to their threats,” she said. 

Branding detractors as hooligans, Siti said she was waiting for the police to act.

“He (Khairuddin) is already in breach of the Penal Code. That is an offence,” she said.

Gabungan Seni Khat Action Team (Sekat) will hold a National Jawi Congress on December 29, a day after Dong Zong’s event.

Meanwhile, Siti said police can already take action without a report as the act can already be considered a threat.

The lawyer added that the group has the right to organise the congress, similar to what the organisers of the Malay Dignity Congress did.

“We want to hold a congress. Just because it is not to their liking, should we be afraid of them?” she asked.

“No, I think Malaysians must rise above this,” she said.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had also warned Dong Zong that its insistence on holding the rally could lead to other repercussions, such as Malay pressure groups reasserting their calls for vernacular schools to be shut down.

Commenting on this, Siti said the prime minister could have been ill advised, adding that Dong Zong and Sekat’s move has not breached the law and is within democratic rights. 

Meanwhile, Sekat national secretary Arun Doraisamy said the intention behind Sekat’s congress is to clear doubts on the issue.

Arun said it was important to understand the root cause of the opposition, so that people are more informed.

“It (the congress) will not create chaos. It will soften the problems we have now,” he said.

He also added that statements by politicians have sparked problems.

Sekat will be conducting its congress in the national language so that it can have a greater reach, especially to the Malay community.

The group has also extended its invitation to Education Minister Maszlee Malik.

Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Jawi Teaching Special Committee coordinator Eddie Heng Hong Chai said the Sekat event will complement Dong Zong’s event, with an invitation already extended to its head. – December 23, 2019.

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Comments

  • When the PM gives tacit approval to "chaos", why would the hooligans not take advantage of it?

    Posted 6 years ago by Ravinder Singh · Reply

  • We should proceed with the Chinese Congress and not be intimidated by bangsats.

    Posted 6 years ago by Rupert Lum · Reply

  • DR M has been a leader for only one race-the Malay community, not because he loves them but they are a majority, and they can keep him in power. In the 1970s when he was jailed and then in the 1980s when he took power for 22 years-we can see his modus operandi-Judges sack ( Salleh Abas and others), Opposition members jailed without trial ( Kit Siang & Karpal), his own people like Anwar Ibrahim who stood up against corruption a in the UMNO government was met by imprisonment and ridicule-in fact, election banners berated Anwars family. That was shocking.

    We dont want a Right Wing Malay government-infact, I am confident most right thinking Malays want a centalist government. DR M is a radical, after providing sanctuary to Naik Zakir-a felon, mascarading as a holy man. What a JOKE!

    Posted 6 years ago by Ricky Vatsaloo · Reply

  • I congratulate this young and determined human rights lawyer-you are talked about internationally and the subject of many essays in universities human rights papers. I salute you as a true Malaysian patriot, fearless in your fight for civil liberties and a person of islamic faith. My prayers are that your family and you are not persecuted for your good work. Please continue your work, and encourage all Malaysians to fight for the rights as
    human beings. Allah gave us brains, and we cannot be thinking of going back to riding camels.We need to update and modernize all religions as the good lord wanted us to.

    Posted 6 years ago by Ricky Vatsaloo · Reply

  • It's OK now, the ministry has assured us the dakwah in schools will not affect us, it will only affect the Muslims kids... God bless the kids.

    Posted 6 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • with leader like tun, what do we expect? always threaten the minorities, for past 20 yrs.

    Posted 6 years ago by . . · Reply

    • All MPs are representatives of the people, he is the representative of himself.

      Posted 6 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • In India, the Times reports that Indian students and others throughout India are protesting the new citizenship law that impacts ONLY muslims. In the 1960s, hundreds of white population walked side by side with Martin Luther King for civil rights for the discriminated black population.

    Looks like you are one of the few who will stand up for human rights for minorities. We want a nation that is patriotic to Malaysia. The promised Rule of Law, Human Rights adherence by PH has flown out of the window. I urge to and other young people to stand strong for the truth, equality and fairness. Fight for the Malay, Chinese, Indians and others . Evil will prevail if good people dont sepak out. Stay strong , we dont seen any of the senior bar council members standing up-the President and the Malaysian bar are impotent. Many other them are in cahoots with the cabinet.

    Anti-corruption head was also the lawyer for ex-MB, now Economics Minister who utangs banyak-$30000 for holiday, and big UMNO type wedding for family. Everyone in Malaysia is not stupid all can see.

    Posted 6 years ago by Kunta Kinte · Reply