KUCHING, Aug 21: Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) has called on the Sarawak government to ban Perlis mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin from entering the state.
PBK president Voon Lee Shan pointed out that the recent remarks by Mohd Asri on preserving the Malays’ cultural and political dominance was uncalled for.
“Under the Federal Constitution, there is no provision to force the culture and customs of another race on any other person. Moreover, it is also not a culture and custom of Sarawakians to force one’s culture and customs on others,” he addressed a press conference today.
Describing it as the ‘Malaya cancer’, Voon stressed that PBK do not want such disease entering Sarawak.
He emphasised that any imposition of one’s culture and religion against the will of others is unconstitutional under Article 8 of the Federal Constitution, which states that all persons are equal before the law and are entitled to the protection of the law as provided under Article 160.
“His (Mohd Asri) remarks are dangerous to the racial harmony and peaceful practice in a multiracial and multicultural Malaysia,” he said.
“We need to be reminded that one of the fundamental terms for the formation of Malaysia was that Malaysia is to be a secular state,” he added.
Voon also cautioned that the call to impose supremacy of the Malay race and culture on others could also create racial unrest.
According to news reported in various national media, Mohd Asri had previously defended his remarks on preserving the Malays’ cultural and political dominance, suggesting that there is now a free-for-all climate in Malaysia which only a strongman like Saddam Hussein can end.
He also stood by his statement that Malaysia belongs to the Malays, and rejected accusations that non-Malays have been unfairly treated.
He said Malaysia’s national identity is Malay, and that the Malays are “land owners” of the country who must be respected.— DayakDaily
