Malaysia not a nanny state, says Muda on PAS call to ban concerts

SHAH ALAM: PAS should respect the country's pluralism and stop calling for bans on concerts by foreign artistes just because it is not in line with the party's ideology, says the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda).

Muda central executive committee member Ainie Haziqah said PAS should also focus on the rakyat's struggles instead of targeting concerts.

Speaking to Sinar Daily, she questioned that if PAS wanted concerts banned, would it do the same for nasyid groups like Raihan or be selective and target those that were not aligned with its ideology.

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"Malaysia is a multiracial country ... PAS should focus on bread-and-butter issues instead of imposing this kind of ideology (on others)," said Ainie.

The PAS ulama council had recently called on the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) to be given a bigger role in the government agency that approves foreign acts, so that those considered un-Islamic can be stemmed.

Muda vice president Lim Wei Jiet said political parties should not prioritise issues like concerts, especially with the country embroiled in corruption, poverty and food security issues.

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He also said PAS should accept that non-Muslims have their rights and interests, and interfering in their lifestyle is not right.

"While I respect that Jakim has jurisdiction to regulate the affairs of Muslims, (but) interfering with things like concerts affects non-Muslims – and this is where we should draw a line.

"Right-thinking Malaysians must stand up and tell PAS resoundingly that the nanny state envisioned by them is not the nation we wish to live in.

"We have always thrived because we celebrate diversity, openness and progress," he added.

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He said PAS wants to turn back time when other South-East Asian nations like Indonesia and Vietnam are overtaking the country economically.

Former Muda vice president Dr Thanussha Francis Xavier said she disagreed with PAS asking Jakim to interfere in concerts as the view of one department should not decide the outcome for the rest of the country.

"The Communications and Multimedia Ministry takes input from various agencies – including Jakim – when making a decision.

"Jakim represents the opinions of one sector of society and cannot be generalised as the viewpoint of the entire nation.

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"There are other agencies that have given approval for concerts to be held in Malaysia, so why does Jakim's opinion matter more than all the other agencies combined? Why should they be given absolute authority in decision making?" she told Sinar Daily.

She questioned PAS' determination to solve major problems faced by Malaysians every day.

"PAS is focusing on concerts because the general election is coming soon and it's time for it to create hype through division and extremism.

"It just wants to sow division among Malaysians.

"I cannot remember PAS in recent years proposing a single idea, vision or policy that is of value. It has just been a series of racist and discriminatory remarks from that party," she added. – Sinar Daily