MoCS set on walk during Ramadan
Ang Ngan TohPublished: Jul 17, 2011 11:20 AM | Updated: Jul 17, 2011 11:30 AM
Movement for Change, Sarawak (MoCS) insists on holding its ‘Walk for democracy and reforms’ on Aug 13 in Kuching, despite the fasting month.
Movement for Change, Sarawak (MoCS) insists on holding its ‘Walk for democracy and reforms’ on Aug 13 in Kuching, despite the fasting month.
“I have thought through this matter months ago and had consulted our Muslim friends,” MoCS leader Francis Siah (photo, on the right) said today when responding to criticisms by some Sarawak BN leaders, especially from Parti Pesaka Bumiputra Bersatu (PBB) against the rally.
They had accused him of disrespecting Islam and Muslims by holding the rally during the holy month.
In response, Siah said, “On the contrary, besides fasting, doing good deeds, fighting evil and acting in the interests of our fellow beings are especially encouraged during Ramadan.”
“It is in fact holy to fight against all evils during the fasting month,” he said, adding that a walk for democracy, reforms and peace for Sarawak is a good deed during Ramadan.
“After the rally at 5pm, we will encourage our Muslim friends to break fast at the nearby Reservoir Park/Museum Grounds.
“We will all join them and even invite the police to join us in the breaking of fast.
“It will be a celebration of a multi-religious Sarawak,” he said, urging the participants to bring their own food for the breaking of fast.
“We will suggest to the local authorities to issue licences for afternoon bazaars to sell burgers, chicken wings, cendol, ice cream, goreng kacang putih and murukku.
“Our pakcik and nenek from the Satok Sunday Market can also sell their fresh vegetables and fruit,” he said.
PKR to wait and see
Siah stressed MoCS will make the walk carnival-like in atmosphere.
“It can also be a family afternoon picnic. Let’s hope the weather will be kind on that day,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sarawak PKR information chief See Chee How (left) called on Siah to consider holding the rally on Sept 13, instead of Aug 13.
“I don’t think the Malays will be attracted to participate in the rally because they have to observe the holy month,” he said.
See said there is no point holding the rally if only the Chinese and Dayaks turn up, without Malay participation.
He said Sarawak PKR will see in the next few days whether Siah will change his mind.
See also said that that Sarawak PKR will not participate if the planned rally aims to call for 30-year Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud to step down from office.
“Our stand is that we will give support if MoCS calls for a fair and free elections, but to ask Taib to step down is rather personal,” the PKR state assemblyperson for Batu Lintang said, adding that Sarawak PKR is waiting for MoCS to furnish details of the rally.
He said the people will have to wait and see if Taib will honour his pledge to step down in two or three years’ time.
“The Barisan Nasional has been given the mandate to rule by the people, so we have to respect that,” he added.
“I have thought through this matter months ago and had consulted our Muslim friends,” MoCS leader Francis Siah (photo, on the right) said today when responding to criticisms by some Sarawak BN leaders, especially from Parti Pesaka Bumiputra Bersatu (PBB) against the rally.They had accused him of disrespecting Islam and Muslims by holding the rally during the holy month.
In response, Siah said, “On the contrary, besides fasting, doing good deeds, fighting evil and acting in the interests of our fellow beings are especially encouraged during Ramadan.”
“It is in fact holy to fight against all evils during the fasting month,” he said, adding that a walk for democracy, reforms and peace for Sarawak is a good deed during Ramadan.
“After the rally at 5pm, we will encourage our Muslim friends to break fast at the nearby Reservoir Park/Museum Grounds.
“We will all join them and even invite the police to join us in the breaking of fast.
“It will be a celebration of a multi-religious Sarawak,” he said, urging the participants to bring their own food for the breaking of fast.
“We will suggest to the local authorities to issue licences for afternoon bazaars to sell burgers, chicken wings, cendol, ice cream, goreng kacang putih and murukku.
“Our pakcik and nenek from the Satok Sunday Market can also sell their fresh vegetables and fruit,” he said.
PKR to wait and see
Siah stressed MoCS will make the walk carnival-like in atmosphere.
“It can also be a family afternoon picnic. Let’s hope the weather will be kind on that day,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sarawak PKR information chief See Chee How (left) called on Siah to consider holding the rally on Sept 13, instead of Aug 13.“I don’t think the Malays will be attracted to participate in the rally because they have to observe the holy month,” he said.
See said there is no point holding the rally if only the Chinese and Dayaks turn up, without Malay participation.
He said Sarawak PKR will see in the next few days whether Siah will change his mind.
See also said that that Sarawak PKR will not participate if the planned rally aims to call for 30-year Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud to step down from office.
“Our stand is that we will give support if MoCS calls for a fair and free elections, but to ask Taib to step down is rather personal,” the PKR state assemblyperson for Batu Lintang said, adding that Sarawak PKR is waiting for MoCS to furnish details of the rally.
He said the people will have to wait and see if Taib will honour his pledge to step down in two or three years’ time.
“The Barisan Nasional has been given the mandate to rule by the people, so we have to respect that,” he added.
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