PETALING JAYA – MCA today called on Umno Youth Chief Dr Akmal Saleh to practise humility and respect the law and constitution.
MCA vice-president Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker said Umno Youth must allow concerned parents, religious leaders, NGOs and other relevant parties to seek clarifications on the Imam Al-Nawawi 40 Hadith module for Muslim children in public schools.
“Similarly all Malaysians must respect Islam as the official religion but at the same time must be vigilant towards ‘political Islam’, as during the 80s and 90s this trend brought tremendous damage and changed the fabric of the nation.
“It was more of a political agenda and not a religious one. Politics can be damaging. Politicians using religion are dangerous and cause hardship and social calamities,” he said.
Ti was responding to Akmal’s statement yesterday where he said anyone, whether friend or foe, would have to face Umno Youth first if they questioned the hadith module.
He said Umno Youth supported the government’s decision and reiterated that there was no compulsion for non-Muslim students to learn the module.
He urged all sides not to question the government’s decision to nurture Islamic knowledge in schools as Islam is the way of life for the majority of Muslims in the country and not only the religious rituals.
Earlier, MCA president Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong said the use of the word “diperluaskan” (to be expanded) during the introduction of the module had raised questions about whether the implementation of the module will involve all students, regardless of their background.
He said the module triggered the public’s reaction as the term “projek perintis” (pilot project) had been initially used before it was changed to “diperluaskan” (to be expanded).
“To be expanded in what way?” asked Wee. “Certainly, it will lead to different translations or interpretations. I have served in the ministry before, I know that all the words used are very sensitive,” Wee said.
“These are genuine concerns and deserve to be clarified. Akmal’s reactions are uncouth and it is Umno Youth’s mannerism that has damaged the party and Barisan Nasional’s image in the eyes of fair-minded Malaysians of all races,” stressed Ti.
Ti pointed out that even Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had made an effort to explain the module and assure the public of its implementation rather than simply “shoving it down the throats” of fellow leaders in an arrogant manner.
“It is time for us to relive the spirit of humility, respect and tolerance – which was so greatly practised by our founding fathers – rather than resort to chest-thumping, growling or shouting which seems to be the political culture of the 80s and 90s,” added Ti. – The Vibes, August 27, 2023
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