Do away with 'double standards' – senator
KOTA KINABALU: The government must be fair and do away with double standards in enforcing the Sedition Act in order to win the people's respect, said Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) deputy president Senator Datuk Chin Su Phin.
In the case of burning the Bibles, he said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nancy Shukri has asserted that Perkasa chairman Datuk Ibrahim Ali would not be prosecuted under the Sedition Act for making that remark.
"The decision not to prosecute Ibrahim is a mistake as he has clearly violated the Sedition Act for saying that."
Chin also took former Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Mahathir Mohamad to task for defending Ibrahim in his call to burn the Bibles.
"What will the government think if a Christian makes a remark to burn the Quran to protect Christianity?
"Will Nancy Shukri take legal action against the individual?"
Chin said this when officiating at the joint LDP Youth and Women annual general meeting (AGM) here yesterday.
If the situation were reversed, that is, people of other religions threatening to burn the Quran, Chin said he would not object when the government takes action against the offenders under the Sedition Act.
Chin said the right to operate Chinese vernacular schools are enshrined in our country's Federal Constitution.
Regrettably, an Umno leader has proposed to debate whether to shut down Chinese vernacular schools in the Umno general assembly without having to take responsibility for his remark.
Chin pointed out that our country's legal system must be impartial to a person's race, social status or ministerial position.
"The government must do away with double standards. No one is above the law.
"Any individual who contravenes the law, such as deliberately stirring up racial and sensitive issues with the intention to create social tension, should be held accountable for his or her action and face prosecution."
Chin continued to say that the government has taken action against individuals for making seditious remarks.
Even if the Sedition Act is repealed, Chin said there should be similar Act in place to protect our country.
Chin said there must be certain laws in place to safeguard racial harmony and to ensure no one crossed the line by making harmful remarks or behaving in ways that were unacceptable to other ethnic groups in our pluralistic society.
"Unlike the Internal Security Act (ISA), individuals charged under the Sedition Act go through fair trial in court where they have the opportunity to defend themselves.
"Those who are found innocent will naturally be released," he said.
Chin said the young people constitute about 25 per cent of the 30 million population i n Malaysia. The figure indicates the significant role that the younger generation play in the future development of our nation, he said.
However, he said some young people tend to instigate racial issues on the internet or make seditious remarks that criticize the Malays, Chinese or Indians.
"If our government do not educate the young people and continue to allow them spread ill sentiments on our leaders or nation, our multiracial society will not be as harmonious in 20 or 30 years' time."
Similarly, he said teachers and clergymen who allegedly instilled hatred for our leaders among students and church goers were uncalled for.
On LDP itself, Chin said the party had been through two crises, the tussle last year being the most serious as an individual has brought the party to court with the intention to destroy LDP.
However, he commended party members, including Youth and Women members for remaining steadfast and united throughout the crisis and gave their full support to president Datuk Teo Chee Kang.
Chin said Youth and Women members were at the forefront of every political party and urged them to be outspoken when their leadership were criticized, or when the opposition or even extremist leaders within BN made irresponsible and seditious remarks.
He also urged youths to join politics to meet people from all walks of life, like professionals, ministers, officers, which would be beneficial in their lives and career.
Chin believed that party members who were willing to contribute to the party and be patient would be successful politicians one day.
"Ask not what you can get from the party, ask yourself what you can do for your party, what you can contribute to the party."
Also present at the AGM were LDP president Datuk Teo Chee Kang, vice president Lim Kai Min, vice president Datuk Lim Ming Hoo, vice president Chin Shu Ying, vice president Datuk Mok Cheh Hung, vice president Pak Chee Eng, secretary general Datuk Yong Wui Chung, treasurer general Kent Fong, chief publicity off icer Albert Kok, organizing secretary Peter Chong, Youth leader Tsang Hieng Yee, Women leader Datin Shim Nyat Yun and Wanita MCA national chairman Datuk Heng Seai Kie.