Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin should apologise for jumping the gun and blaming non-Muslims for being behind a video clip depicting a dog undergoing ablution similar to Muslims before prayers, DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang said today.
"He should apologise for condemning the video without checking the facts," said the Gelang Patah MP in a statement in Kuala Lumpur today.
Muslim dog trainer Maznah Mohd Yusof, 38, had recorded a Raya greeting video three years ago that showed her washing dogs' paws while the call for Azan is heard in the background.
Continue Reading..
The clip has since been taken down from the YouTube video-sharing site but was reposted yesterday by someone else to become headline news in today's Utusan Malaysia daily and Harian Metro.
Muhyiddin said yesterday that "the callousness of some towards Islam and Muslim sensitivities" could spark disharmony among Malaysians.
"Is this a manifestation of the assumption of some quarters that we (Muslims) are weak and that they could walk all over us? Or that we are afraid to react when others insult the sanctity of Islam?" the deputy prime minister had said during a breaking fast event in Putrajaya.
"No Muslim has made fun of other faiths," he noted.
Today Lim reminded Muhyiddin of his role as deputy prime minister.
"Muhyiddin must demonstrate that he is a deputy Prime Minister for all Malaysians and not just for Umno - that he is Malaysian first, Malay second rather than Malay first, Malaysian second," said Lim.
The DAP leader was not alone in holding Muhyiddin accountable for his words.
PKR Legal and Human Rights Bureau head Latheefa Koya ticked off Muhyiddin for blaming non-Muslims for the video.
"Muhyiddin's warning towards non-Muslims is highly irresponsible and unfair," said Latheefa.
"We condemn the irresponsible and opportunistic reaction by the DPM to stoke religious and racial tension by pitting Muslims against non-Muslims without bothering to check what the actual content of the video was," she said in a statement.
She also cautioned the government leader to watch his words as it could stoke unnecessary problems.
"This narrow and intolerant attitude has to stop before it brings the country into chaos and violence." - July 31, 2013
