Isma wants Malays ‘fractured and divided’, DAP’s Zairil says
(Malay Mail Online) – “Extreme” organisations like Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) want nothing more than to see the Malay community fractured and divided and being united only in hatred towards other races, DAP MP Zairil Khir Johari said today.
On the other hand, the DAP has always fought to cultivate a Malaysian identity that places patriotism and love for the nation and to accept the supremacy of the Federal Constitution which included the preservation of Malay rights, said Zairil, who is also the party’s assistant national publicity secretary.
“In fact, going by Isma’s consistently divisive and racially charged statements in recent times, it is clear that it is Isma who wants to see the Malays fractured and divided.
“While Isma intends for Malays to be united in hatred towards others, the DAP has throughout its existence always wanted Malays to stand united with other races for the collective good of the country. Again, we wonder who the extremist bigots are,” he said in a statement.
Zairil was responding to Isma’s recent heightened attacks against his party, with some of its leaders even accusing DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang of “wanting to wipe out the Malay race, language and culture.”
The Bukit Bendera MP suggested that Isma leaders take a step back to learn more about DAP’s political history by understanding its constitution and important party documents such as the “Shah Alam Declaration” — which affirmed the DAP’s fight for a “united and peaceful Malaysia for all Malaysians.”
“Finally, if indeed the DAP is anti-Islamic or anti-Malay, then how can the DAP have survived as a political party in Malaysia for nearly half a century?
“In fact, the DAP has not only persevered but has today built up one the most diverse portfolio of elected representatives amongst all the political parties in the country, with representatives who are ethnic Chinese, Malays, Indians and East Malaysian natives,” Zairil added.
Isma has attracted controversy for its provocative remarks against Malaysia’s racial and religious minorities with its president, Abdullah Zaik Abd Rahman, calling them “intruders” brought by British colonialists to oppress Malays.
The group had previously claimed that Indians and Chinese were brought into the country to weaken the Malay identity and undermine the community’s birthright to Tanah Melayu on the pretext of multiculturalism.
