PERIKATAN Nasional component parties like MCA and MIC should urge the coalition to reprimand PAS and Kedah Menteri Besar Sanusi Md Nor for trampling on religious sensitivities, said a DAP lawmaker.

Former minister Teresa Kok said Sanusi was discriminatory and did not respect ally MIC when the Indian based party criticised him for not declaring Thaipusam a holiday this year.

“If PN leaders still regard the coalition as multiracial and multireligious, then MIC and MCA should demand the PN presidential council censure the Kedah MB and demand reversal of the cancellation of Thaipusam as a public holiday,”she said in a statement today.

The Seputeh MP slammed the other PN parties for keeping mum on the issue.

“The MB of Kedah has been making a series of wild statements that hurt the Hindu community since he took over the MB post.

“So far, only MIC and MCA leaders in PN have refuted his racist statement but the rest of the members in PN have been silent on his racist and discriminatory policy. Non criticism will be seen as supporting the MB,” Kok said.

The former primary industries minister urged MIC to start the ball rolling by boycotting PAS as the party’s discriminatory politics will seep into other PN states as well.

“On top of that, it is time for all PN component parties, particularly those from Sabah and Sarawak, to ... protest against the divisive and discriminatory pronouncement of the PAS-led government in Kedah.

“Because if PAS-led government can implement such a discriminatory policy in Kedah, it will also surely push for other discriminatory policies in other states, too. It is time for all component parties in PN to take a stand on this issue,” Kok said.

Over the past week, Sanusi has been having a row with MIC leaders for cancelling the Thaipusam holiday in Kedah this year. Thaipusam is not a state public holiday, but the Kedah government has usually granted a day off for the Hindu religious day since 2014.

Sanusi said there was no need for a holiday in Kedah as the Covid-19 pandemic has forced the state into lockdown.  

Indian politicians, including those from MIC, have protested the move, saying it is insensitive. MIC president S.A. Vigneswaran yesterday said the party will not support PAS in the state at the next general election.

Sanusi also has accsued MIC members of supporting Pakatan Harapan in his latest salvo. – January 25, 2021.