Kadir Jasin adds to growing calls for Waytha to go

(FMT) – PPBM Supreme Council member A Kadir Jasin has added to the growing calls for P Waytha Moorthy to resign, saying the minister in charge of unity had “lost the credibility” to remain in the Cabinet following his conduct in the Seafield Hindu temple affair.

“He has become a character that is divisive,” Kadir wrote on his personal blog.

Kadir, who is also Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s media and communications special adviser, said it was better for Waytha to “voluntarily resign” rather than to put pressure on the prime minister to sack him.

He said Waytha was given a “very high honour” to be part of the Cabinet “but wasted it”, adding that the Hindraf leader was not elected but appointed by the Agong and made a minister by Mahathir.

As such, Kadir said Waytha should not “embarrass” them.

Calls for Waytha to resign grew louder after the death of fireman Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim, who was assaulted by a mob outside the Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman temple.

Waytha and several ministers had been criticised by leaders from both sides of the divide for accusing the police of inaction when the temple was attacked by another mob a day earlier.

Earlier this month, Mahathir denied that he and Kadir were “schooling” Waytha and another minister who had received a similar lashing in Kadir’s blog post, Maszlee Malik, saying that he only spoke to them.

Mahathir has said he was satisfied with both ministers’ performance.

Kadir meanwhile urged the public not to let their emotions take over in the issue of Adib’s death.

“It’s not that I don’t want minister Waytha Moothy to have action taken against,” he said. “But is that (having emotions take over) what we want and more than that what Adib wants?”

He said those who caused Adib’s death, regardless of their race and religion, “must be hunted” and punished.

“In whatever line of work we choose, there must be elements of risk. If not many, even a little. Surely Adib knew of the risks of his work.

“So no need to worry my friends… If there is extra money, help Adib’s parents, and if there is so much money, make a multi-million ringgit welfare foundation in his name.”