AFTER two days of unrest in Subang Jaya, Selangor, over a temple issue, PAS and Umno now appear to be in two minds over a rally on December 8 to “celebrate” Putrajaya’s decision not to ratify an anti-discrimination accord.
Questions were raised over the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) rally as racial tension in the Klang Valley spiked after two nights of rioting over the relocation of the 147-year-old Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman Temple.
The rally, organised by Malay rights groups, was initially supported by Islamist party PAS and Umno, which were set against Putrajaya ratifying ICERD for fear it would strip the Malays of their rights and threaten the position of Islam in the country.
However, PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan said yesterday the party’s central committee would decide today if it wanted to participate in the gathering.
“We want to discuss and evaluate the current situation. Right now, we have not made a decision or stand on the matter. It will be decided tonight,” Takiyuddin told The Malaysian Insight.
Umno secretary-general Annuar Musa said the rally should be peaceful and held in accordance to the rules stipulated in the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.
“This is why Umno wants the organiser to talk to the police and cooperate over security. This rally is not to create chaos in the country.”
Annuar said if the rally degenerates into a riot, it will defeat its purpose of highlighting the dangers of ICERD to Malay rights.
Over the last 48 hours, police have rounded up 28 suspects allegedly involved in the temple attack on Monday and rioting yesterday and early today.
More than 20 vehicles and several motorcycles were torched and damaged in the incidents.
The incidents caused unease among Malaysians, with some questioning if the rally on December 8 should be allowed to go on.
The organiser of the rally, Gerakan Pembela Ummah (Ummah), however, is adamant about going ahead with the event.
Ummah chairman Aminuddin Yahaya said he was aware there were quarters trying to link the riots at the temple to the ICERD rally.
“I don’t see why we should stop it or postpone it to another time. Our rally is to celebrate the success in stopping Putrajaya from ratifying ICERD. It is a thanksgiving, not a riot.” – November 28, 2018.
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