THE government will not hesitate to act against those who stoke racial and religious tension, Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said today, ahead of Saturday’s rally organised by a Malay rights group.

Gerakan Pembela Ummah (Ummah) wishes to hold the rally ”send a clear message to Putrajaya to not make policies that threaten the rights of the majority.”

Muhyiddin said there are people hoping to use the rally to fan religious zeal and provoke Muslims.

Ummah has stated that the rally will protest against so-called threats to the sovereignty of Islam; revived efforts to have Malaysia accede to the Rome Statute; the government’s recognition of the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) issued by Chinese high schools; and the teaching of science and mathematics in English. Rally-goers will also demand justice for dead fireman Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim and call for the sacking of Attorney-General Tommy Thomas, who is non-Muslim.

PAS has ordered its leaders and members to show up in force at the event.

A party circular signed by PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan commands all the party wings and state committees nationwide to attend the rally to “defend the sovereignty of Islam and the constitution”.

Muhyiddin warned that the home ministry will not hesitate to act through the police against those who try to create problems by inciting animosity between the various races. 

“The government has zero tolerance for those trying to stoke tension by playing up the race and religious card,” said Muhyiddin, who is the Pagoh MP.

He dismissed allegations that the new Pakatan Harapan government has not defended Islam against its denigrators.

Perlis mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin recently alleged that Muslims are being bullied under the PH administration, which led to a spat with Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the former must be “deaf” in the course of defending the government’s Islamic credentials.

The Perlis mufti also accused Putrajaya of keeping silent when Islam was insulted.

Muhyiddin said Asri’s allegations were untrue as the authorities have investigated 53 cases of people who have insulted the religions. Eight of these cases have been brought to court.

The Bersatu president Islam’s sanctity and position remain protected by the federal constitution. 

He reminded Malaysians to uphold the principles of multi-racialism.

“I advise Malaysians to preserve peace among the races and religions in this country. 

“Don’t be easily be influenced by the narratives of those who are trying to gain political mileage by fanning negative race and religious sentiments”. – May 2, 2019.