The DAP and I would be the first to denounce such extremist and fanatical statements and positions if it is true that it had been uttered by a PAS state assemblyman in Pahang.
However, the MCA State Assemblyman concerned, Ti Liang Ker (Indera Mahkota) has publicly admitted Idris had never made any such statement in the Pahang State Assembly and that he had assumed that it was Idris’ stand.
This is the height of political irresponsibility in a multi-racial, multi-cultural and multi-religious Malaysia where sensitivities of all racial, cultural and religious groups should be fully respected and no responsible political leader, whether in government or opposition, should try to arouse these sensitivites, concerns and fears through sheer concoction of untruths.
MCA leaders including its president Datuk Seri Dr. Ling Liong Sik have condemned Idris for a statement he never made. Are they prepared to apologise for their baseless condemnation.
In fact, there should be a public playing of the tape recording of the Pahang state assembly meeting on Wednesday so that everybody can know what actually transpired. Is Liong Sik prepared to arrange for such a public playing of the Pahang State Assembly tape-recording?
However, the whole incident should be a reminder of the urgent need for PAS and Barsian Alternative to address the non-Muslim concerns and fears about PAS sensitivity to non-Malay and non-Muslim rights, especially in view of PAS’ position on the Islamic State.
(4/5/2001)