By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal | The Malaysian Insider
KUALA LUMPUR, April 13 — DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang today slammed Datuk Seri Nazri Abdul Aziz’s defence of Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s “small-fry” remarks as a foot-in-the mouth justification.
The veteran lawmaker told The Malaysian Insider that Nazri’s defence of Muhyiddin’s statement was a “very peculiar protection” and pointed out that the issue was about whether importance is given to the inter-faith committee.
“Very peculiar protection. Reminds me of what Syed Hamid said. That you arrest the Sin Chew reporter to give her protection.”
“This is a nonsensical explanation. Either you give importance to the inter-religious committee or you don’t,” said Lim.
Nazri had defended Muhyiddin’s “small fry” remark, when describing the Cabinet’s inter-faith panel, saying that the deputy prime minister was protecting it from religious groups rather than reducing its role. Muhyiddin had caused an uproar with his statement yesterday prompting the umbrella body of non-Muslim faiths to threaten a boycott of the inter-faith committee until he explains his remarks.
The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department explained that the “small fry” statement must be seen in the context of the Mufti of Perak’s objection to the committee.
Malay right-wing group Perkasa had also made similar objections.
“To say that they are small fries and do not have any power, I mean (this) is not something which is going to raise the esteem and important role that must be played by inter-faith panel … The DPM’s statement, Nazri’s foot-in-mouth justification has destroyed whatever credibility the panel can have,” added Lim.
Lim, who is Ipoh Timur MP said that the onus was now on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to decide on whether the 1 Malaysia concept was to be taken seriously.
“ I’m not surprised Ilani has asked for an explanation and I think there’s a need for the Cabinet, for Najib, to reassert himself to decide if the 1 Malaysia government transformation programme with regard to unity, in this case the role of religion, is going to be meaningful or another propaganda exercise.”
When asked about the boycott by the Malaysian Consultative Council for Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) on the Cabinet-mooted inter-faith panel, Lim stated he understood the reasons for their actions.
“I can understand their feelings, for even before meeting, it has been downgraded and humiliated by none other than the DPM, I don’t see any purpose in the continuation of such a creature.”
“ What must be established is an inter-religious organisation, fully empowered entrusted with the duty to propose ways to solve problems and promote interfaith understanding,” he said.
Besides that Lim stressed that the Minister in charge of the inter-faith portfolio, Tan Sri Dr. Koh Tsu Koon should quit.
“Tsu Koon should resign, unless he can regain public faith,” said Lim.
It is understood that the inter-faith panel chief, Datuk Ilani Isahak, has postponed all scheduled meetings of the inter-faith panel until the controversy over the DPM’s “small fry” remark, meant to describe the panel members, has been cleared up.