Don’t sacrifice national unity for political agenda, MCA tells politicians
Elizabeth Zachariah, TMI
Public figures should not sacrifice national unity for the sake of their personal political agenda, MCA said today, referring to the outcry over a video clip of a Muslim dog trainer washing her dogs.
MCA publicity chief Datuk Heng Seai Kie (pic) said instead, they should be cautious and restrain from making baseless allegations.
“Although we understand that many political parties are now in the process of holding their party elections, we urge all quarters to be cautious with whatever comments they utter,” she said in a statement in Kuala Lumpur today.
Her comments came on the heels of a controversial YouTube clip of Maznah Mohd Yusof, 38, celebrating Hari Raya with her dogs, causing an uproar this week among Muslims who deemed it to be insulting to the religion.
Police arrested Maznah yesterday for questioning over the video that was first uploaded three years ago.
Before she was identified, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had blamed non-Muslims for the video, saying “the callousness of some towards Islam and Muslim sensitivities” could spark disharmony among Malaysians.
“Is this a manifestation of the assumption of some quarters that we (Muslims) are weak and that they could walk all over us? Or that we are afraid to react when others insult the sanctity of Islam? No Muslim has made fun of other faiths,” he had said during an event.
Heng, who called the video “provocative and displays irresponsible behaviour”, hoped the incident would be able to alert and educate the public to be more cautious and sensitive.
“It is regrettable that this video comes at the heels of similar incidents such as the Alvivi buka puasa greeting, shower room canteen controversy and “balik India dan China” slurs by a school principal.
