Let’s debate, Siti Kasim

In fact, the ban on the Communist Party of Malaya (CPM) should be lifted. If you are legally allowed to join a Malay nationalist party like PPBM or Bersatu, an Islamic party like PAN or Amanah, a multi-racial party like PKR, a Chinese-chauvinist party like DAP, then why must communist parties be banned? 

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Siti Zabedah Kasim, probably Malaysia’s most controversial lawyer-cum-activist, has suggested the banning of religious- and race-based political parties and alleges they are one step away from Nazism (READ HERE).

First of all, what does Nazism mean? Nazism means National Socialism (German: Nationalsozialismus). Many scholars suggest that Nazism was a form of far-right politics.

What does Socialism mean? Socialism is a political and economic theory which advocates that the means of production, distribution, and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole (such as a committee, majlis or council).

Then, of course, we know what Capitalism is, the opposite to Socialism, National Socialism or Nazism.

Nazism is NOT about racism. Adolf Hitler, or many in the Nazi party, may have been racists, but Nazism itself is not about racism. It is about national socialism.

Kit Siang is a racist so why is Siti Kasim not asking for DAP to be banned?

Lim Kit Siang is a racist. Many in the Democratic Action Party (DAP) are racists. But DAP is NOT about racism.

The Democratic Action Party is another name for a social-democrat party. However, since socialism is equated to communism, and since communism is banned in Malaysia, then they need to use Democratic Action Party instead of Social Democratic Party, like the social democratic parties in Europe and many other parts of the world.

So, what is it that Siti Kasim is against? Is she against socialism or national socialism and does she want capitalism to be the law of the land? In fact, capitalism is worse than socialism or communism. Under socialism or communism, you are slaves of the state. Under capitalism, you are slaves of the banks.

Hitler may have been a racist but Nazism merely means national socialism, like what DAP stands for

Actually, Islam is the best form of socialist-capitalism or capitalism-socialism. Islam is a ‘marriage’ between both capitalism and socialism. Anyway, today’s article is not about Islam so if you want to discuss this matter we shall do it in another article. Today’s article is about what Siti Kasim said.

What I want to debate Siti Kasim is not regarding Islam, Nazism, Socialism, Communism or Capitalism. I want to discuss her statement: “The abolishment of religious- and race-based political parties is essential.”

As a lawyer and activist, Siti Kasim should adopt the doctrine “I may not agree with what you say or believe but I will defend to the death your right to say it or believe in it.” Only that can make Siti Kasim a true lawyer and true activist.

All three of the Abrahamic faiths condemn homosexuality. Is Siti Kasim a Muslim or atheist? Since she has not openly declared she has renounced Islam and has become an atheist then I am going to assume she is still a Muslim (unless she corrects me and says she is not a Muslim but an atheist).

All the Abrahamic faiths condemn LGBTs but Siti Kasim supports them

So, as a Muslim, she, too, should condemn homosexuality or LGBTs. After all, all the Holy Books of the Abrahamic faiths talk about Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve. But is Siti Kasim opposed to homosexuality or LGBTs in spite of what the Holy Books say?

The answer is no! And the answer is no because Siti Kasim respects freedom of choice, freedom of association, freedom or belief, and so on. And this includes freedom and equality for LGBTs, which Siti Kasim defends.

So, if freedom of choice, freedom of association, freedom or belief, and more, regarding your lifestyle, sexual preference, who you jump into bed with, etc., can be respected, who is Siti Kasim to tell us who you can or cannot associate with politically?

You can be gay but cannot be an Islamist or Nationalist

In fact, the ban on the Communist Party of Malaya (CPM) should be lifted. If you are legally allowed to join a Malay Nationalist party like PPBM or Bersatu, an Islamic party like PAN or Amanah, a multi-racial party like PKR, a Chinese-chauvinist party like DAP, then why must communist parties be banned?

The excuse they give is the CPM once waged war against Malaysia. That is why the CPM is banned.

Well, the Japanese also once waged war against Malaysia (or at that time Malaya). Why do we trade with the Japanese, allow them to invest in Malaysia, borrow money from them, buy their cars, etc? The Japanese killed more people than the CPM did so they are worse than the communists.

The Japanese were more brutal than the Communists but why are the Japanese not banned like the CPM?

Indonesia also waged war against Malaysia and Indonesian soldiers actually invaded the country. The Konfrontasi lasted three-and-a-half years and about 1,000 people were killed and wounded. Is Indonesia still our enemy? So why are the Communists still our enemy? Wasn’t a Peace Treaty signed between the Malaysian Government and the CPM in 1989?

Under the concept of freedom of choice, freedom of association, freedom or belief, etc., you can be a Muslim, Christian, Jew, Hindu, Buddhist, Tree Worshipper, Moon Worshipper, Sun Worshipper, Atheist, Republican, Democrat, Conservative, Capitalist, Socialist, Communist, Nazi, Islamist, Malay Nationalist, Sex Addict, Gay Activist, Chinese Educationist, Malay Language Activist, Labour Activist, Monarchist, Leninist, Maoist, Dog Lover, Greenist, Vegetarian, Teetotalist, Cross-dresser, Woman Impersonator, or whatever that tickles your fancy.

Siti Kasim has no right to tell us what to believe in and how to live our lives. If Christianity says Jesus is the Son of God, you cannot ban Christianity just because this belief contradicts the Qur’an and suggests that the Qur’an is wrong.

INSCRIPTION IN THE DOME OF THE ROCK IN JERUSALEM REFUTING THE CHRISTIAN BELIEF THAT JESUS IS THE SON OF GOD: “Oh God, bless Your Messenger and Your servant Jesus son of Mary. Peace be on him the day he was born, and the day he dies, and the day he shall be raised alive! Such was Jesus, son of Mary, a statement of the truth concerning which they doubt. It befitteth not God that He should take unto Himself a son.”