KUCHING, Feb 23: The “militia-style” parade with participants holding replica swords, spears and shields held by the Parti Islam Se-Malaysia’s (PAS) youth wing in Terengganu recently will send a wrong message to foreign tourists on the country’s security and could negatively impact Malaysia’s tourism industry.
Joining Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail to condemn the action by Terengganu Pas youth, Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Dato Sri Tiong King Sing agreed that any act displaying or express passion with the use of weapon-like symbols or ‘military’ is inappropriate and has potential to create public distress and chaos in the country.
“I urge the authorities to investigate whether the organisation of Himpunan Pemuda Islam Terengganu or ‘Himpit’ by PAS youth has a permit or otherwise. If yes, why was the permit issued? Or if there is any abuse of power in approving the permit,” he said when asked by members of the press, in which his statement was shared on his social media pages today.
Tiong, who is also Bintulu MP, also stressed that any event that revolves around race or extremist issues should not be allowed in the country.
He also criticised some PAS leaders’ attempt to mislead the public when equating the parade to Chinese opera.
“But I am grateful to the majority of Muslims in Malaysia who also objected to such a parade. Many have described the event as extreme, provocative and has the potential to create public chaos.
“This could impede the government’s efforts towards the country’s economic recovery, especially in the tourism sector,” he added.
With that, Tiong emphasised that the cultural diversity in the country must be safeguarded at all cost to send a positive message to foreign tourists that Malaysia is a multi-religious and multi-racial country that values harmony, peace and unity. — DayakDaily
