Butterworth, April 21 – “IGP should immediately step down for letting down the Christians and damaging the country’s image”
“PM should also attend to nation’s racial issues rather than only concentrating on 1MDB and his personal issues”
“Sunday 19th of April 2015 will go down in history of this country as one of the darkest moments which demolished the racial harmony and goodwill which were built among our fellow Malaysians over the years by our forefathers.”
“All over the country, for years, different religions have practiced their own faiths and displayed their own symbols without any issues as there was understanding among the communities about the religious freedom enshrined in our Constitution.”
“Therefore, the incident of forcefully removing the Cross symbol by a group of protesters clearly has put a black stain in our country’s multi-racial and multi-religious image.But what is more shocking than the incident of removing the Cross itself is the subsequent statement by the IGP that the Sedition Act will not be used and that no action would be taken against the protesters who forcefully removed the Cross symbol.”
IGP SHOULD RESIGN OR BE REMOVED
“I call upon the IGP to immediately step down for bringing disrepute to the high position he holds. If he fails to step down, the Prime Minister should immediately take action by removing him from his position as the nation cannot afford to continue with a person of such a low integrity to continue as IGP to protect our peoples’ inter-religious faith.”
“The IGP should have taken extra precaution when jumping into announcing that no action would be taken since his elder brother was involved in the incident and furthermore the ruling UMNO party members were also involved. The IGP’s statement clearly shows his biasness and partisan approach to the whole issue.”
NO ONE SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO TAKE LAW INTO THEIR OWN HANDS
“If the presence of the Church or the Cross symbol truly poses an affront to the Islamic religion then the group of protesters should have followed the proper procedures in bringing the matter to the attention of the authorities probably by first lodging a police report and then probably reporting to JAKIM or MPPJ.”
“Taking the law into their own hands, the protesters should not have barged into another religious ground while prayers were taking place and demand that the sacred symbol of Christianity be removed. If stern action is not taken against these protesters the true intention and vision of a Barisan Nasional government as envisaged by our forefathers would be buried in front of our eyes.”
“This will also create a bad precedent which may reflect in other parts of the country causing further damage to the racial harmony and religious tolerance currently enjoyed by our Malaysians.The Prime Minister Dato Seri Najib Tun Razak should also concentrate on the current racial and religious tensions prevailing in the country instead of just addressing and answering on 1 MDB and his personal issues.”
“In this regard I congratulate and welcome the Home Minister Dato Seri Dr Zahid Hamidi for taking the right stand by announcing that action would be taken against the protesters for what they did. We sincerely hope Zahid would keep to his words despite the protesters being UMNO members and leaders and despite the pressure he may face in his pursuit.”
“Finally, let the Barisan Nasional leaders be reminded that this incident coupled with the attitude of IGP is going to cost heavy voters’ confidence at the forthcoming Permatang Pauh by-election, Sarawak State assembly elections and the 14th general election.”
– Press Statement by Dato Henry Benedict Asirvatham, Deputy Chairman, MIC Penang State Liaison Committee Chairman, MIC Bagan Division, Penang on 21st April 2015.
