MALAYSIANS have been called to unite and reject extremists who are jeopardising national unity and questioning the Federal Constitution.
Air Putih assemblyman Lim Guan Eng said it is time for all Malaysians to unite and stop the narrative brought by those individuals.
“We, Malaysians, must unite, oppose and defeat these extremists who threaten peace and harmony of this beloved country,” he told reporters at his Air Putih service centre today.
Quoting the recent speech by Kedah MB Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, Lim said it was irresponsible for Muhammad Sanusi to use ‘warlike imagery’ to describe the dispute between Kedah and Penang.
“In his latest speech, the Kedah MB described Penang as Constantinople, and those attendees in the stadium as the ‘soldiers’ of the Ottoman sultan, Muhammad Al-Fatih (commonly known as the Mehmed the Conqueror). Muhammad Al-Fatih conquered Constantinople and brought an end to the Byzantine Empire.”
“Yes, the Kedah MB may argue that he did not talk about using violence and all; but when you use such a warlike analogy, it is extreme, and it presents a danger to the peace and harmony of this country.
“Penang is a sovereign state, duly recognised, and authorised by the Federal Constitution.
“However, Muhammad Sanusi has openly said that he doubted the sovereignty of Penang. And he wanted the Federal Constitution to be amended to reclaim Penang; to wipe out Penang’s existence so that Penang be returned to Kedah.
“This is despite Penang being a sovereign state under the Federal Constitution,” Lim said.
Lim, who is also the Bagan MP, also questioned the police over several police reports made against Muhammad Sanusi in the past.
“We were wondering about the progress of those police reports against him for making all those extreme remarks. We hope that the police can answer,” he said.
Separately, Lim said he had spoken to senior lawyers Gobind Singh Deo and R.S.N. Rayer over the incident where a woman in Kelantan was fined by the Kota Bharu Municipal Council (MPKB) for wearing shorts in her premises.
“How can one be penalised for indecent dressing in her own premises? It is just irrational and illogical.
“Not only have women’s dressings become an issue when entering government offices, or uniforms for nurses being questioned; now it has been ‘extended’ to one’s own premises,” Lim, who is the national DAP chairman, said.
On June 15 in Parliament, PAS’ Kuantan MP Wan Razali Wan Nor has come under fire from several organisations over his remark on nurses’ attire, claiming it was too tight and not shariah compliant.
Lim said: “We are willing to stand up and protect the fundamental rights enshrined in the Federal Constitution.
“I have communicated with Gobind and Rayer, and they are willing to take up the Kelantan woman’s case pro bono if she intends to fight against the unreasonable fine,” he added.
Before the press conference, Lim presented aid to local associations and a student to alleviate their financial burden.
The recipients were Persatuan Penganut Dai Shu Ya (RM12,000), Persatuan Penduduk Bukit Bendera (RM19,000), Pertubuhan Dewa Chiakra Phra (RM2,000), and student N. Kuuruprasath (RM3,000).
Also present were Air Itam assemblyman Joseph Ng and former Bukit Bendera MP Wong Hon Wai.