KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 27 — The authorities must charge
those who question Article 153 of the Constitution like Christian
leader Rev Dr Eu Hong Seng with sedition to safeguard national security,
Datuk Ibrahim Ali said today.
“We demand the government use the Sedition Act on anyone who makes
statements like this from now on and charge them in court,” the Perkasa
chief told reporters today.
He was referring to a statement made on Saturday by National
Evangelical Christian Fellowship (NECF) chairman Eu, who likened Article
153 to “bullying” for only protecting the rights of one group.
Article 153 states that it is the King's responsibility “to safeguard
the special position of the Malays and natives of any of the States of
Sabah and Sarawak and the legitimate interests of other communities in
accordance with the provisions of this Article”.
Calling Eu’s statement “irresponsible provocation”, Ibrahim said use
of the Sedition Act would deter further attempts to question the
provision and preserve racial harmony.
Disputing the article would only lead to civil strife as it was part
and parcel of an established social contract that could not be amended
without consent from the Malay Rulers, he said.
The Malay rights leader also cautioned Christians against repeating
statements similar to Eu’s in light of past controversies like the
Damansara Utama Methodist Church (DUMC) raid, as this would only give
the impression that Christians wished to make enemies of Muslims.
“We’re only upholding what’s in the Federal Constitution... Please
don’t keep provoking us on and on because it’s not good for the country.
And we have been patient for so long,” he said.
Ibrahim added that Perkasa might lodge a police report against Eu on Thursday to help protect Article 153.
Amid growing debate, opposition leaders claimed today that the
article has been manipulated by ruling Malay party Umno and is now being
used as “a weapon of aggression”.
Constitutional expert Prof Abdul Aziz Bari had said earlier that
Article 153 meant the King must ensure safeguarding Bumiputera rights
did not come at the expense of the legitimate interests of other
communities.
Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyddin Yassin denied today that the provision has been used to bully any community.
credit: yahoo news
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