SO, IS IT A ‘BATTLECRY’ FROM PAS – AND WHO DO THEY INTEND TO GO TO WAR AGAINST? – OTHER MUSLIMS OR THE NON-MUSLIMS – AS MALAYSIANS & INVESTORS WATCH WITH A WARY EYE, HOME MINISTER SAIFUDDIN WARNS AGAINST ‘ACTIONS THAT COULD CREATE CHAOS’ – BUT WHAT IS HE GOING TO DO ABOUT PAS’ MILITARY-LIKE PARADE THAT HE ADMITS STRESSED ‘WAR THEMES’ – NOTHING AS USUAL?
PAS Youth’s military-like procession inappropriate, says home minister
Saifuddin Nasution Ismail says such displays could create uneasiness among the public especially as race and religious issues have yet to subside post GE-15.
PETALING JAYA: The home minister has slammed a military-like parade by Terengganu PAS Youth, saying it was not only inappropriate but could create uneasiness among the public.
Saifuddin Nasution explained that issues revolving around the three “Rs” – race, religion and royalty – had yet to subside after the last general election.
Such actions included military-like displays, he said.
“This led to questions on whether this parade was meant to be a battlecry,” he said.
He warned the public against actions that could cause chaos and said stern action would be taken against those who threaten the country’s harmony and security.
A parade featuring members from the Islamic party’s youth wing in Setiu, Terengganu, saw the group marching with replicas of swords, spears and shields.
The march was part of a two-day PAS gathering known as Himpunan Pemuda Islam Terengganu (Himpit).
The incident led to religious affairs minister Na’im Mokhtar saying the warlike posturing could give the wrong impression of Islam as well, as it drew brickbats from Pakatan Harapan and MCA.
Terengganu PAS Youth has defended its parade, saying it was similar to cosplay events held annually, and emphasised that it was never intended to incite violence. FMT
T’ganu Harapan lodges police report over PAS’ Himpit event
Terengganu Pakatan Harapan chairperson Raja Kamarul Bahrin Shah Raja Ahmad today lodged a police report over the two-day PAS Youth gathering called “Himpunan Pemuda Islam Terengganu” (Himpit) held last Friday.
In the report, he described the act of PAS members marching in the streets of Terengganu with replicas of medieval weapons and armour as a display of their extreme leanings.
“PAS is getting bolder and freely displaying its extreme attitude by marching on the street with (replica) of weapons and armour, causing alarm to the people of Terengganu.
“What is (PAS’) intention in displaying preparedness for war in the public? Didn’t the Council of Rulers call for national stability? Such acts show the exact opposite,” he said.
As such, he urged the authorities to probe the matter.
“Terengganu Harapan demand the authorities, particularly the police, take the issue seriously for the sake of national harmony and investigate it. No one is above the law,” he said.
“The government must also act before it is too late. Too much provocation is happening lately and if not stopped immediately, it may lead to worse incidents,” added Kamarul.
Last Friday, the procession in Setiu, Terengganu, featured dozens of participants in costumes fashioned after medieval Middle Eastern warriors.
PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said the event should not be an issue and likened the costumes to that of a Chinese opera.
However, Religious Affairs Minister Na’im Mokhtar said marching while carrying replica weapons was unwise and could lead to misunderstanding.
Terengganu police chief Rohaimi Md Isa, in a statement yesterday, said the police had been made aware that there would be a contest during the Himpit event where traditional Islamic weapons would be on display.
“However, police were not informed about the march carrying the replica weapons which has caused ill-feeling and unease among some in the society,” he was reported as saying. MKINI
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