Move away from fear and suspicion, Yeoh tells Malaysians

Updated 4 years ago · Published on 13 Aug 2019 12:01PM · 5 Comments

Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh says the Pakatan government is still dealing with the 'remnants of racism and extremism'. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, August 13, 2019.

MALAYSIANS must recognise in themselves the “mirror effect” of spreading the same fears they accuse others of, said DAP’s Hannah Yeoh.

The Segambut MP said the people must “move to the middle” and eradicate such fears through engagement and consultation.

“We need to move away from fear and suspicion. Some are afraid of lights on a building resembling a cross, or Chinese calligraphy in the office of a minister. Some are afraid of Jawi. This is a mirror effect – guilty of the same fears we accuse others of,” she said in a statement on Facebook today.

Her remarks come as DAP deals with backlash from segments of its grassroots opposed to the introduction of khat for Year Four pupils in vernacular schools, even though the lessons have been scaled down after much protest.

Recently, party veteran and Iskandar Puteri MP Lim Kit Siang was booed when talking about the issue to Chinese in the constituency.

The divisive matter has also seen Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad lashing out at one of khat’s strongest objectors, the United Chinese School Committees’ Association, or Dong Zong, which he called “racist”.

Yeoh, who is also deputy women, family and community development minister, said the Pakatan Harapan government is still dealing with the “remnants of racism and extremism”.

“The moderates and the middle ground are being accused of betraying their own race. Some political parties depend very much on these sentiments for their survival and relevance, and they still own mainstream media companies.

“We are still dealing with the remnants of corruption. Some beneficiaries of the previous system will now struggle with the lack of open doors. Some new players will struggle with the sudden power at their disposal.”

She urged Malaysians not to allow such issues to distract them from building a country for future generations.

“Don’t get distracted. Malaysians conquered their fear and moved mountains to make May 9 happen,” she said, referring to last year’s historic general election.

“Our children depend so much on the decisions we make today. So much at stake. Let our kids play together again. Let them mingle beyond our comfort zone.

“Move to the middle, Malaysians. Sound policies will never be made from both ends of extremism.” – August 13, 2019.

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Comments

  • That is right. Some media is still controlled by BN conponent parties and they use it to instil fear and spin the news.

    Posted 4 years ago by SY L · Reply

  • Well said Deputy Minister. All should adhere to her call.

    Posted 4 years ago by Malaysia Baru 09052018 · Reply

  • Unfortunately being the government of the day, it is YOUR JOB to remove the fear, uncertainty and doubt in the mind of the people.

    Blaming the previous administration, calling names and making statements like this shows the lack of capable people in the current administration.

    What would you do next? Blame the people?

    Posted 4 years ago by Alex Lim · Reply

  • Hannah, how does one move away from suspicion?
    Almost everywhere we look, our space is being slowly eroded, either by the Napoleons or by the Ministers. Just recall the many incidences of Jab K'jaan fellas who barred individuals due to the former's perceived notion on dress-code. What about the teaching of history in schools, why is extra weightage given to one worldview?
    What about the Allah issue? 'Only one word la...', those who objected were berated.

    And now this, khat. It has all the hallmarks of Mahathir's "I-decide-you-follow" approach. Look at the way he berated your party colleagues - Charles Santiago and Ronnie Liu.

    Are you ok with that??

    Posted 4 years ago by Rock Hensem · Reply

  • My main objection to the khat lessons is that there is no practical purpose to teaching 10-year olds an archaic, out of use script for BM when there is the perfectly acceptable Rumi script that is in use today. Instead of teaching these children Islamic calligraphy during BM lessons, wouldn't the time be better spent actually teaching these children BM? Shame! Shame! Shame! PH, you are failing our future generations. Harap pagar, pagar makan padi?

    Posted 4 years ago by Yoon Kok · Reply