Media Statement by Tony Pua in Petaling Jaya on
Tuesday, 12nd August 2008:
MCA must ensure that the Prime
Minister is properly informed on the 'controversial' forum organised by
the Bar Council
We have read with interest that the
MCA leadership has come out strongly via statements to the media the
party was "extremely upset at the protesters' actions" which resulted in
the event having to be wrapped up early, said the forum should be
respected by everyone as the council had conducted it in a rational and
peaceful manner.
Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting was quoted to say that the "forum never intended
to question the special position of the Malays or Islam as the religion
of the federation as enshrined in the Federal Constitution. Never once
were the organisers, speakers or registered guests critical of Islam".
However, at the very same time, both the Prime Minister, the Deputy
Prime Minister and other top leaders from UMNO has been unapologetic and
even threatening in their condemnation of the forum conducted by the Bar
Council.
The Prime Minister said the Bar Council had been advised against holding
the forum that touched on sensitive matters like religion and race. He
has state that he"hope[s] such an incident won't repeat itself. Last
Saturday's forum is proof that issues relating to religion and race are
sensitive in the country.
The Deputy Minister went further to say that the Bar Council's
persistence in going ahead with a forum on conversion to Islam has
triggered extreme reaction from certain quarters, which in turn would
threaten the country's harmony.
The country's top leadership has even not discounted the possibility of
utilising the Internal Security Act against the forum organisers,
clearly a threat which is no less "extreme" compared to the actions of
the demonstrators!
Therefore, while we welcome MCA's views on the controversy, they must
face up to their responsibility to challenge the views of the Prime
Minister and UMNO, who are clearly abusing the race and religious card
recklessly to create an atmosphere of fear. It is noteworthy that while
the protesters were condemned, no comments were forthcoming on the
opposing views espoused by the UMNO leaders.
Without doing so, it would appear that Barisan Nasional is perpetuating
its system of divide and rule, where UMNO stokes the racial and
religious sentiments of Malays while MCA plays its subservient role to
placate the minority communities. That, will only strengthen the case
that MCA has lost it total relevance in Barisan Nasional.
The DAP stands firm that there are probably no better party to organise
and lead discussions on the Constitution and the laws of Malaysia than
the Bar Council. It was also a constructive forum to ensure that
unintended victms as a result our laws will be given humane and
justifiable treatment. It will make a complete mockery of our legal and
judicial system if its very practitioners are denied opportunities to
discuss or explain our laws.
*
Tony Pua Kiam Wee, MP for Petaling Jaya Utara
http://dapmalaysia.org