May 12, 2023
Media statement by Member of Parliament for Bukit Bendera, Syerleena Abdul Rashid on the 12th of May, in Georgetown, Penang:
Bukit Bendera MP Syerleena Abdul Rashid is the latest in DAP to lodge a police report against PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang over his statement, which among others, said Malays were being openly “conned”.
“I found the PAS president’s statement is a criminal defamation against the Malays, a very dangerous incitement to the Malays which can or might inflame certain groups or races to commit an offence towards other groups.
“And it also has racial elements which could disrupt public harmony and safety.
“I request the police investigate Hadi who has repeatedly made such reckless statements that have racial elements under Section 499, 505(c) of the Penal Code as well as Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act,” Syerleena said in a statement today.
Yesterday, Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng also lodged a police report against Hadi over the same statements.
This happened after DAP chairperson Lim Guan Eng called for reports to be lodged against the PAS president on the matter.
On Tuesday, Hadi reiterated calls for the Malays to unite, saying the race is being “openly conned”.
He also urged the Malays not to let go of their remaining political power, due to their own conduct.
The Perikatan Nasional deputy chairperson also slammed Malays who work with non-Muslims and non-Malays who he claimed are the “biggest plunderers”.
In her statement today, Syerleena said such hate speech and bigotry have no place in the country’s diverse society.
“With only a few more months left before the dissolution of several state assemblies to pave the way for elections, we can see the far right bellowing their sermons of hate – feverishly and without any ounce of logic or sound moral judgement.
“Diversity is a strength of any society and should be celebrated rather than feared or discriminated against.
“Each individual brings their own unique experiences, perspectives and talents to the table and this diversity can lead to greater creativity, innovation and understanding.
“If Malaysia is to spearhead the region’s economic and social growth, we must never exclude groups but include every layer of society to contribute to our nation,” she said.
Despite that, Syerleena said Malaysians must also understand that there may be different perspectives and viewpoints within any society.
A healthy way to address such differences is through respectful dialogue and debate to find common ground.
Act against bigots
As such, it is important that swift action is taken to address any hateful comments or bigoted behaviour, she said.
“This involves educating individuals on the harmful impact of their words or actions, enforcing consequences for those who engage in hate speech or discriminatory behaviour, and providing support and resources for those who have been impacted by such behaviour.
“Perhaps PAS have ‘conveniently’ forgotten that in any democracy, healthy debates are welcome and such exchanges must be done through facts and logic, not name-calling and religious fear-mongering.
“Therefore, it is timely for Malaysians to take a stance against hate and ‘remind’ the overzealous bigots that Malaysia is a country for all and shall remain a country for everyone irrespective of ethnicity and religious beliefs,” she said.