Malay rights NGO Perkasa today lodged a police report against writer-cum-columnist Helen Ang for an article posted on the website of the Centre for Policy Initiatives (CPI).

NONEThe article, posted on Aug 4 entitled ‘Enforcing NEP on minority religions' is seditious as it questioned the position of bumiputeras and the Rulers, according to Perkasa Youth chief Arman Azha Abu Hanifah (centre in photo).

"The content of the article is clearly written with bad intentions and to incite hatred among the people of different races as it questioned Islam and the special position of the Malays in the country," he told reporters outside the Sentul police station after making the police report.

He claimed that the article "arrogantly criticised the Agong and incited dislike among the people towards him".

Arman, who found out about the article on Saturday, said that this has caused anger among Malaysians especially the Malays and bumiputeras, where their special position is being questioned and Islam is belittled by Ang.

He pointed to a specific paragraph from the article which he alleged supported his claim.

"In some schools, doa (Muslim prayer) is recited weekly during assembly. However, if a Christian, Hindu, Sikh or Buddhist prayer were ever recited in a gathering where Malay pupils are present, there will be an uproar."

"How can she question this?" Arman asked.

 Islamic prayers for official functions

However, he added that Perkasa feels that in official events it is important that Islamic prayers should be used.

"Because Islam is the official religion, it is only right for Muslim prayers to be conducted. But we do not stop others from using their religious prayers so long it is not during official events," Arman said.

He urged the government to take strong action against Ang because this is an extremely serious offence. Only by imposing a heavy penalty will others be deterred from repeating the same offence so that the country's harmony will be preserved, he added.

"We think that the contents of the article can create disunity among the people and threaten national security. So the authority should use the Sedition Act and Internal Security Act against the writer," he said.

‘Ang a protégé of RPK'

Arman also claimed that Ang is a protégé of fugitive blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin (RPK).

"We have sources saying Ang was moulded and planted by RPK to create tension among the people. She is apparently sponsored by him as well," he added.

Arman was accompanied by Perkasa Youth secretary-general Syed Hassan Syed Ali, and several members and state representatives.

Ang, however declined to comment.

"I want to read the report first," she said when contacted by Malaysiakini.

 

Enforcing NEP on minority religions