Teo: If they think it is okay for non-Muslims to attend, why should I close the door?
DAP’s Serdang MP Teo Nie Ching says she will not skip mosques despite renewed attacks by Umno’s Utusan Malaysia today for participating in a mosque event.
The first time parliamentarian took part in an aerobics exercise session at Masjid Taman Cheras Jaya in her constituency recently.
Teo admitted that although her act may cost her party Malay votes, she said she would continue engaging Muslim voters through community functions.
Utusan Malaysia published a front-page story today with the headline “Teo Nie Ching makes trouble again” along with a picture of her exercising with men and women in the mosque compound during a recent Maal Hijrah carnival.
The newspaper also accused her of wearing tight-fitting clothes. She is pictured wearing a white T-shirt and track pants, as were the other Muslim participants.
In August, the first-term MP was criticised by Barisan Nasional (BN) politicians and conservative Muslim groups over her controversial surau visit, after Utusan Malaysia published a front-page picture of her addressing those who were praying at the Al-Huda Surau in Kajang Sentral.
“When I get an invitation from a mosque, then I will go,” Teo told sources
“If their (Utusan Malaysia)’s attack is without basis, there is no way I should give in. It is a small and low-profile community function. This is an opportunity to foster closer ties with my constituents,” she added.
In today’s story Utusan Malaysia also criticised Teo for taking part in the mixed-gender exercise programme at the mosque.
In August, Teo was similarly lambasted for entering the Al-Huda Surau with her hair uncovered.
Women are required to cover their hair when entering a mosque.
The DAP MP was also accused of delivering a “takzirah” (sermon) during her surau visit.
The surau committee chairman, Azemi Ahmad, however, had insisted that Teo merely spoke about Selangor’s education loan scheme.
Teo’s controversial surau visit had allegedly displeased the Selangor Sultan and sparked a warning from the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS), who banned her from entering the prayer areas of any suraus or mosques in Selangor without its permission.
Malay rights group Perkasa had demanded that Syariah laws be enacted to ban non-Muslims from entering mosques and suraus.
However, Pakatan Rakyat (PR) leaders, including PAS spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat, had defended Teo over her mosque visit.
Teo said today she was invited by the Masjid Taman Cheras Jaya to take part in the aerobics exercise.
“If they think it is okay for non-Muslims to attend, why should I close the door?” asked Teo.
“It was a function organised by the mosque...at the outside compound of the mosque,” she added.
Despite a potential backlash from the Malay electorate, Teo expressed confidence that Utusan Malaysia’s readership would eventually decline due to its “biased” reporting.
“We may lose some Malay votes. But I do believe that eventually, Utusan Malaysia will lose its credibility,” said Teo.
“It is a biased newspaper that always plays up dangerous racial and religious issues,” she added.
The recently-elected Selangor DAP state committee member also pointed out that several Malays had backed her during the uproar over her surau visit.
“Many Malay voters or friends visited my Facebook page and blog and showed their support,” said Teo.
“The response from the crowd there was very good. They welcomed me. I think I was doing the right thing.”
