Patriot: Let's move on from Zakir Naik and focus on economy

PETALING JAYA: Malaysians must move past the Dr Zakir Naik issue and instead direct their attention to the economy, says National Patriots Association (Patriot).

Patriot president Brig-Jen (Rtd) Datuk Mohamed Arshad Raji (pic) urged for Malaysians to move on from arguing about Dr Zakir and instead focus on more pressing issues such as the economy.

"The Mumbai-born preacher has apologised and we hope that his apology is sincere and he has learnt his lesson not to tread on sensitive issues.

"Malaysians have long learnt that comparing religions to cast aspersion and labelling others as 'pendatang' are taboo subjects, and already buried them in the 'Jurassic Park'.

"Let us now move on. We have for the past fifteen months wasted too much time bickering on race-religion issues instigated by opposition parties, and the power struggle for domination within the Pakatan Harapan coalition.

"This hampered efforts that could have been better used to put into works for the promised reforms," he said in a statement on Sunday (Aug 25).

He added that even into the second year of Pakatan's administration, unity among different ethnic groups has not improved and there remains distrust from among Sabahans and Sarawakians towards the government.

He said political leaders must commit to fostering racial relations, and to put a halt to acts and conduct that will instigate racial tension.

"There is a saying in the military that there are no bad soldiers, only bad officers.

"Applying the analogy to political leadership, if the people are in disarray, disunited, undriven for a common cause, then it reflects on the poor leadership of politicians. The Cabinet has to take responsibility," he said.

He echoed Perak Ruler Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah's earlier statement that extremism should not be allowed to undermine national unity and those with short-term political aims should not be allowed to hijack the voice of unity and moderation in Malaysia.

"Acts and conduct that instigate hatred, sow enmity and distrust, irrespective of one's status and position, must now stop.

"All including politicians, should take heed of Sultan Nazrin's advice. In this regard, Patriot supports Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Abdul Hamid Bador that no more warning be given to those who incite racial and religious sensitivities," he said.

Mohamed Arshad further said that the Cabinet ministers should instead take serious action following a statement by United Nations human rights expert Philip Alston that the nation's poverty rate was underreported.

"If Alston is correct, the 14.6% difference in miscalculating the poverty rate is a very serious omission.

"It has serious ramifications on our nation's socio-economic policies, and the various five-year economic plans. It also means our government policies have not been effective."

He expressed disappointment with Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Azmin Ali for his "quick dismissal" of Alston's statement when he said that it was a baseless claim.

"Azmin should rightfully ask his officers to reassess the statistics and the basis of the poverty line calculation. This denial syndrome of our government officials when suddenly caught with a blunder has to stop.

"Patriot urges our Pakatan leadership to focus on economic issues, including eradicating poverty completely, both rural and urban poverty.

"Opposition parties should play their rightful role to check on the Pakatan government's performance and stop harping on race and religion issues from now on," he said.