KUALA LUMPUR, June 10 — DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang urged Malaysians today not to fall for “lies” painting his party as being anti-Malay or anti-Islam.
He also urged DAP haters to stop creating or perpetuating such falsehoods during the fasting month of Ramadan, which Muslims regard as holy.
“The holy month of Ramadan should not be defiled by lies and falsehoods, especially on the social media, like lies, that DAP is anti-Malay and anti-Islam,” he said in a statement.
The Opposition politician also said that the moderation principles touted by the government will not improve so long as there is a message of tolerance towards extremism and fanaticism.
“It is pointless Malaysia preaching the Wasatiyyah principles of moderation, justice, fair play, balance and excellence on the global level, if we allow and cede extremism and fanaticism room in public discourse and mainstream space, the Gelang Patah MP said.
He urged moderates to speak up against all elements of extremism, including those bent on scaremongering Malaysians by claiming the DAP to be anything other than a pro-Malaysian party.
The DAP’s real enemies, he said were those against the idea of a peaceful, harmonious united, progressive and prosperous multi-racial, multi-religious, multi-lingual and multi-cultural Malaysia.
Lim pointed out that to the spates of extremist attacks around the world, Lim said Malaysia could suffer the same fate if moderates fail to speak up.
“It is time for Malaysians to wake up and realise that moderates of whatever race, religion or politics will lose out by default to the extremists and fanatics, if they are not prepared to stand up to defend… moderation in the country.
“History tells us of the heavy price moderates have to pay when they failed to stand up against extremism or fanaticism of any form,” Lim said.
