Don’t belittle Islam and Malays, Isma warns Gerakan

Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) president Abdullah Zaik Abd Rahman has hit out at Gerakan for using an ‘extremist label’ which he says could cause Malaysia to become a backward nation. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, October 4, 2014.

Muslim rights group Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) has warned Gerakan not to challenge the Islamic leadership in the country after the Barisan Nasional component party urged Malaysians not to fear “imaginary enemies”.

In a posting on its website, Isma president Abdullah Zaik Abd Rahman hit out at Gerakan for using an "extremist label" which he said could cause Malaysia to become a backward nation.

He said the enemies of Islam and the Malays were not make-believe or mere manipulations.

"They will be proven in the days to come.

"Gerakan should not give others extreme labels simply because they have differing views. That does not help strengthen the nation's diversity," the controversial NGO leader said.

Abdullah Zaik said it was good that Gerakan used the 1Malaysia slogan as a theme for its annual assembly but added that the slogan must be used sincerely and honestly.

"Gerakan should not take advantage of the slogan as the party must stay in line with BN's stand not to question and touch on the sensitivities and rights of Muslims.

"Do not be like some parties that only use the slogan to champion the interests of certain races only.

"I want to see Gerakan stand for the Federal Constitution by not questioning the rights of Muslims or touching on their sensitivities," he said.

Yesterday, Gerakan president Datuk Mah Siew Keong told Malaysians to stop fearing or making imaginary foes and to instead move towards progress.

Mah also praised his party deputy Dr Asharuddin Ahmad who had stood up against extremism and disunity in criticising a short video supporting Abdullah Zaik, who faces a sedition trial on October 13.

Mah had said: "We must stop from continuing to make imaginary enemies that were never there and to stay united as Malaysians."

He also said the people must stop imprisoning themselves in the idea of fear.

Abdullah Zaik is charged with Sections 4(1) and 4(1)(b) of the Sedition Act 1948 for allegedly calling the Chinese community "trespassers brought in by the British government" on May 6 this year.

- TMI