PARTI Amanah Nasional vice-president Datuk Mahfuz Omar wants the Madani government to declare extremism as “public enemy number one” since it breeds bigotry, hatred and marginalisation of a country as diverse as Malaysia.
According to him, extremism which is driven by self-interest, racialism, religious differences and corruption, has the potential to undermine the sovereignty of the country – much like communism did decades earlier.
“Malaysia is one of the few countries in the world to successfully defeat communism and we did it because of the backing of the people,” said Mahfuz in an interview. “It is time we do the same on extremism, which is now haemorrhaging on us at all levels.”
He said this matter will be debated and hopefully passed as a resolution by his party during Amanah’s annual convention scheduled later this month in Kuala Lumpur.
Citing examples, Mahfuz said some political parties continue to propagate extremism concepts because they think it earns them brownie points.
To an extent, the extremism agenda is punctured with lies, slander and half-truths about politicians and the country, as well as its economy, he said.
They peddle such concepts in schools, in rallies, in places of worship, and especially on social media, as they think they can get away with it, he pointed out.
“Their extremist nature may fish them votes from the ignorant, but it harms the country and scares people away – whether our own fellow Malaysians or investors,” said Mahfuz.
Similar to drug abuse, extremism must be dealt with through the full range of the law. Those who commit such acts must be punished as a deterrent, said Mahfuz.
The Kedah Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman said if there is a need, the government should invoke new legislation to ban extremism.
Asked to define his interpretation of extremism, Mahfuz stressed that the country must do away with leanings towards radicalism and fanaticism.
Focus on people’s burdens
Mahfuz told The Vibes in the leadup to Amanah’s 2023 National Convention on December 23 and 24 in Klang.
His views are echoed by fellow vice-president Datuk Dr Mujahid Yusuf Rawa, a former federal minister.
Mujahid said that voters must be made aware of any electoral candidates who won in the last polls through extremism, wondering is these individuals have plans to battle rising costs and other living burdens felt by the people.
“Has any candidate with extremism as their ideology ever preached or taught us about how to manage our economic pitfalls and address the cost of living?”
“They should be expected to assist the people, particularly since they won by promoting extremism and spreading falsehoods, at the expense of those who possess insights on how to address our challenges,” he said.
“They propagate so many lies until they also believe them.”
Mujahid said that the country needs to focus on what matters rather than be distracted by the lies and slander of extremism.
Need to act on slander
Recently, PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang branded PH as a “munafik” (religious hypocrite), likening the ruling coalition to Israelites.
To this, Mahfuz said politics is about who can propagate a better way of life for their fellow citizenry while using religious teachings as a bedrock for a strong morality conduct.
It is not about using religion to divide the “ummah” (congregation) while achieving objectives at the expense of harming others through slander and lies, he emphasised.
Citing Hadi’s assertion, he said,“Is there any ounce of truth to this? And to equate us to Israel? These are lies and driven by radicalism. I think the authorities need to act on slander without fear or favour.”
“Extremism is the latest challenge to our way of life, just like communism was to us decades earlier. We must fight it with all our might.”
Mahfuz said that Islam preaches moderation, and this is the basis of the formation of the country where every inhabitant must practise it amid high tolerance, as a diverse nation with multi-racial and multi-cultural backgrounds. – The Vibes, December 15, 2023.
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