Malay-Muslim note in May 13 ‘reminder’ puts others at risk, says DAP

(Malay Mail Online) – Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s highlighting of Malay-Muslim concerns in his reminder of a possible repeat of May 13, 1969 will place the country’s non-Malay communities at risk of reprisal, the DAP said today.

The party’s secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said the deputy prime minister should have omitted reference to any of the Malaysia’s ethnic groups if he had intended his remark to be a simple reminder.

“Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (statement) is dehumanizing non-Muslim and non-Malays, because Muslims and Malays continue to be insulted as well as absolving [Barisan Nasional] from blame if there is to be death and violence in any future May 13 riots,” he said.

The Penang chief minister said such inflammatory remarks by a deputy prime minister is not only irresponsible but has also encouraged and empowered Malay-Muslims groups like Perkasa and Isma.

On Friday, Muhyiddin reportedly said that Malaysia could see another May 13 incident if no efforts were made to preserve inter-ethnic harmony, especially when Malays and Muslims continue to be insulted.

Muhyiddin later clarified that he was not making any threats but merely serving a reminder on the about the state of the country’s race relations.

Today, Lim also took aim at leaders of Barisan Nasional components for defending Muyiddin’s remarks as a “reminder” for the country.

“The nation is further shocked that Umno leaders and even MCA president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai and Gerakan president Mah Siew Keong tried to whitewash Muhyiddin’s threats by callously and casually dismissing it as merely a reminder,” he said.

Lim said both Liow and Mah have nowhere to hide from their continued defence of an Umno that is intolerant and disrespectful of non-Muslims and non-Malays.

“By identifying Muslims and Malays as the injured party by being continually insulted, Muhyiddin is clearly making a threat,” he accused.

Hundreds of Malaysians are believed to have died during the May 13, 1969 clashes between the Malays and the Chinese. Although ostensibly triggered by the results of Election 1969, it was rooted in ethnic tensions between the two communities.