PKR has lambasted an article by Universiti Pertahanan Nasional lecturer Ridhuan Tee Abdullah, which was published in a local daily today, labeling it as “racist” for questioning the Thaipusam festival.

NONEThe party’s human rights and legal bureau deputy chief S Jayathas (right) said Ridhuan’s criticism of the festival contravened Article 11 of the federal constitution ensuring religious freedom of all Malaysians.

“The statement portrays a deep racist connotation and can create unrest as well as chaos among followers of the peaceful religion,” Jayathas said in a statement.

“We never question when there is traffic (jam) during Friday (Muslim) prayers, because we respect the rights of religion.”

In the column, Kesabaran umat Islam ada had (There is limit to Muslim patience), which appeared in Sinar Harian, Ridhuan commented on congestion in the areas surrounding Batu Caves before and during the Hindu festival.

“Have we ever complained during Thaipusam celebration? A week before the festival, the entire area surrounding Batu Caves is congested. Vehicles have been parked wherever the owners please.

“A sea of people of a single colour gathers, as though there are no other colours in this country,” the controversial columnist wrote.

‘Islam agenda sacrificed for votes’

NONERidhuan (left) also claimed that due to federal and state allocations received after the 2008 general election, “temples and idols” that were once grim-looking are now bigger, taller and more colourful.

“From what I see, we (Malay Muslims) have given up everything to garner sympathy and votes. This country has no identity anymore.

“The Islam and Malay agenda have since gone. I am confident that even if BN were to win in the 13th general election, the present situation will not change.
"We will continue to take care of others rather than ourselves.”

The author said all this when condemning BN component party MIC’s defence of the international Tamil film Vishwapooram, said to contain several elements deemed offensive to Muslims but which have since been edited out.

He went on to claim that Muslims in the country were being taken advantage of, whereas action are always taken against those who insulted the sensitivities of other religions in the country, citing the prosecution of those involved in the cow-head and church-burning incidents as examples of this.

As for the coming election, he further suggested that if an Indian candidate is needed to contest in a Malay-majority seat, then an Indian Muslim candidate should be fielded there.