Of preachers and racial slurs: govt’s silence speaks volumes, says Tawfik Ismail

“Something is wrong when you have ministers like National Unity Minister (Datuk Halimah Mohamed Sadique), with the power and the reach to speak out, but she is silent.” 

(The Vibes) – In a span of just a few days, Malaysians have witnessed a Muslim preacher’s disparaging religious remarks and a Malay politician’s racial slur on Facebook.

These incidents have set the nation abuzz, with Malaysians raising concerns over the rising tide of racism in the country, some fearing that it could spark unrest.

However, former Umno MP Mohd Tawfik Ismail said that the current government, led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, does not have the political will to combat racial discrimination in the country.

Speaking to The Vibes, the former Sg Benut MP said it is unfortunate that the government only wants to perpetuate an all-Malay government concept, as it would cast Ismail Sabri’s administration in a bad light.

“It doesn’t appear that they have the will to counter it. The minute someone who looks like a preacher from a religious establishment (makes a racial comment), the government is afraid (to voice its opinions) because it doesn’t want to upset its PAS partners.

“I think this kind of constraint harms the image of Malays and Muslims, generally, because it shows that there is no leadership,” said Tawfik, the eldest son of Tun Ismail Abdul Rahman, Malaysia’s second deputy prime minister.

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