KUALA LUMPUR — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has issued a stern warning to politicians and their supporters who openly spread racially divisive and religiously fanatic sentiments that could potentially cause national disharmony.
During a fiery address at a joint ceramah event for Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) in the Hulu Kelang state constituency last night, Anwar said that he had raised the issue with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Selangor ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.
“I have discussed this with the Agong and the Selangor Sultan… this is not about politics. I don’t care who they (supporters) back or which party (politicians are from), but they are riding on religion,” the prime minister said.
“They are punishing and slandering people (by saying that) if they don’t support (a political party), they are kafir (non-believers) and will go to hell (as) enemies of Allah.
“After this, if you support me as prime minister, I will not tolerate this nonsense.”
Anwar’s stern declaration was met with enthusiastic cheers and applause from the approximately 4,000 attendees at the event.
While Anwar did not name any political figure or alliance, the warning came after the PH chairman had earlier on in his speech disparaged rival Perikatan Nasional (PN) for harping on racially charged rhetoric throughout the state elections’ campaign trail.
Restating his unwavering stance that all Malaysians, irrespective of their race or religion, deserve protection, Anwar stressed that safeguarding Bumiputera rights, promoting an accurate understanding of Islam, and respecting the royal institution should never entail insulting non-Malays.
“This is not a zero-sum game. Just because I support the Malays, it doesn’t mean that I will kick the Chinese.”
Anwar also seized the opportunity to dismiss PN’s apparent attempts to court votes from the non-Malays, insisting that such efforts were futile since voters possessed the discernment to reject the coalition led by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
“PN is trying to gain the backing of Chinese (voters). Do they think Chinese people are stupid like them?
“Do they think Indians are easy (to win over)? They have said all sorts of things and insulted Indians, now they say they will form a committee to help the Indians. To the Indian people in the audience, if they come up to you, tell them to podah (leave).”
Also present at the event were deputy prime ministers Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Fadhillah Yusof, and caretaker Selangor menteri besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari. — August 11, 2023