Terengganu PAS Youth has criticised a programme organised by the state's Institute for Integrity called ‘Melayu Bangkit’ (Malays Arise).
Saying the programme smacked of racism and a threat to racial harmony in the country, youth head Ustaz Mohd Nor Hamzah said fuelling such a suspicion was the fact that the programme will be held on May 13, 2010.
PIC: A billboard in Kuala Terengganu showing the event's special guest.
"Even more suspicious is that the programme will be held on May 13, a date which is synonym with the 1969 racial riots," he said.
Nor, who said PAS will lodge a police report over the move, urged the organisers to cancel the event.
The event will be held at the state's Sports Complex in Kuala Terengganu at 9.00 am on Thursday. A billboard announcing the event shows a large portrait of former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who will be the special guest.
Nor, who is also Bukit Payung state assemblyman, said as a state-owned body, the Terengganu Institute for Integrity should not allign itself with political parties and politicians, such as Gerakan Kebangkitan Rakyat (GERTAK, or People's Awakening Movement), which is headed by Marang UMNO's division chairman.
“It seems that the Institute for Integrity has lost its own integrity," he added.
Nor said the theme 'Malays Arise' was a racist slogan and could not fit into prime minister Najib Razak's '1Malaysia' agenda, adding that the same theme had been used by UMNO in Penang to generate opposition against the Penang state government.
"Such a slogan creates discomfort among the people, especially the non-Malays and those Malays who are not UMNO members," he stressed.
'Uncivilized'
Meanwhile, PAS vice president Salahuddin Ayub described the event as "unhealthy" and not suitable at a time when Malaysians were struggling to achieve greater unity.
Referring to a statement by Gertak chairman Razali Idris that May 13 was chosen to create awareness among Malays and remember the bloodshed in 1969, Salahuddin described the action as "uncivilized".
"This statement (by Razali) is serious and clearly shows the intentions behind the choice of the date. PAS views it as something that is very uncivilized," he told newsmen at the PAS headquarters in Kuala Lumpur. -HD
its sad to hear something that has happen many years ago tried to be brought up the 'issue'. Where people is striving for unity, some 'individual' has its own agenda. who knows what??
ReplyDeleteYes it's sad to hear it...Why don't just leave the matter alone??
ReplyDeleteThe rally is stopped. What more do you want to say?
ReplyDelete