DAP leader urges Na'im to be more mindful to avoid future PR crises
Published: Feb 7, 2025 5:33 PM
Updated: 8:38 PM
Summary
- DAP leader Lee Chin Chen believes that minister Na’im Mokhtar should be more mindful of Malaysia’s national context to prevent similar disputes in the future after the controversy surrounding the interfaith guidelines.
- He also urged the government to stand firm and demonstrate that multicultural coexistence is not an issue.
- The DAP central committee member adds that the government shouldn’t restrict itself on such issues for fear of attacks from PAS.
While the controversy surrounding the interfaith guidelines appears to have been resolved, a DAP leader believes that Na’im Mokhtar should be more mindful of Malaysia’s national context to prevent similar disputes in the future.
DAP central committee member Lee Chin Chen said that the issue escalated unnecessarily due to the religious affairs minister’s lack of sensitivity, turning what could have been an avoidable issue into an uncontrollable public relations crisis.
He suggested that Na’im’s inexperience in politics might have contributed to his failure to handle the situation with greater sensitivity.
Moving forward, Lee hopes that Na’im will pay greater attention to Malaysia’s national context and only announce decisions after confirming their implementation to prevent similar controversies from arising.
DAP central committee member Lee Chin Chen said that the issue escalated unnecessarily due to the religious affairs minister’s lack of sensitivity, turning what could have been an avoidable issue into an uncontrollable public relations crisis.
He suggested that Na’im’s inexperience in politics might have contributed to his failure to handle the situation with greater sensitivity.
Moving forward, Lee hopes that Na’im will pay greater attention to Malaysia’s national context and only announce decisions after confirming their implementation to prevent similar controversies from arising.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Na’im Mokhtar
He stressed that any policies or guidelines involving interfaith and interethnic interactions should be thoroughly discussed and incorporate feedback from various stakeholders before being introduced.
Otherwise, he warned, the Madani government risks facing further public relations crises, similar to this issue and the recent halal certification controversy in September last year.
“The unity government has consistently worked to uphold Malaysia’s multicultural heritage and values the social harmony that has existed since the nation’s founding.
“However, certain individuals with vested interests are seeking to exploit interethnic tensions for their own political gain,” Lee said in a statement this afternoon.
Do not self-restrict in fear of PAS
Lee, who is Pahang state assembly deputy speaker did not specify whom he was referring to as “certain individuals”.
Nonetheless, he emphasised that the government should not impose self-restrictions out of fear of political attacks from PAS.
He stressed that any policies or guidelines involving interfaith and interethnic interactions should be thoroughly discussed and incorporate feedback from various stakeholders before being introduced.
Otherwise, he warned, the Madani government risks facing further public relations crises, similar to this issue and the recent halal certification controversy in September last year.
“The unity government has consistently worked to uphold Malaysia’s multicultural heritage and values the social harmony that has existed since the nation’s founding.
“However, certain individuals with vested interests are seeking to exploit interethnic tensions for their own political gain,” Lee said in a statement this afternoon.
Do not self-restrict in fear of PAS
Lee, who is Pahang state assembly deputy speaker did not specify whom he was referring to as “certain individuals”.
Nonetheless, he emphasised that the government should not impose self-restrictions out of fear of political attacks from PAS.
Instead, he urged the government to stand firm and demonstrate that multicultural coexistence is not an issue and that harmony can be maintained.
He welcomed the cabinet’s decision to scrap the guidelines, describing it as being in line with the expectations of the majority of Malaysians.
With this controversy now settled, he also called on the government to exercise greater sensitivity when handling similar issues in the future to prevent further disputes.
Yesterday, academic Abu Hafiz Salleh Hudin criticised Na’im for causing problems and acting recklessly.
In a written reply to the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday, Na’im said the government is planning to introduce the new guidelines.
Among others, organisers are to seek permission from religious authorities if the event includes Muslims, and the events must not contain elements that could offend Muslim sensitivities.
Following strong opposition from multiple political parties and civil groups, the cabinet ruled today that Jakim may only provide advisory guidance to Muslims on such matters and the guidelines should not be implemented as official policy.
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