KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 28 – PAS vice-president Salahuddin Ayub has accused Barisan Nasional (BN) of double standards for criticising Serdang MP Teo Nie Ching’s visit to a surau in her constituency.
Teo has come under fire for delivering a speech at the Surau Al-Huda in Kajang last Sunday after evening prayers.
“It is usual for BN parties like MCA, MIC, Gerakan, Sabah and Sarawak to come to mosques and give speeches,” Salahuddin (picture) told The Malaysian Insider today.
“When BN does it, there is no issue. But when Pakatan Rakyat (PR) does it, there is an issue. This is a cheap issue,” he added.
The Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS) issued Teo a warning and suspended the Al-Huda surau committee over the incident while Wanita Umno chief Senator Datuk Seri Shahrizat Jalil labelled Teo’s surau visit “insulting”.
The Kubang Kerian MP also said that BN’s attacks on Teo showed that the ruling coalition was becoming more “racist”.
“They (BN) are more racist and extremist,” said Salahuddin.
Politicians and analysts have claimed that the conditions in the country since March 2008 have spiralled down to a level where “minority” groups like Perkasa are able to propagate a fear of “Malay insecurity,” and attach almost every issue to racial inequalities.
DAP national publicity secretary Tony Pua has blamed the Najib administration for the “increase” in racial division, citing it as BN’s final attempt to remain relevant.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak only broke his silence yesterday on the weeks-old furore surrounding two school principals accused of spouting racial slurs against the Chinese and Indian communities, saying that his administration must adopt a “zero-tolerance” policy on racism.
“There is no problem (with Teo entering a surau),” said Salahuddin.
The Islamist party vice-president added that mosque or surau visits of non-Muslim BN representatives was usual during his 30 years of being in politics.
DAP chief Ean Yong Hian Wah also defended Teo today and said that he intended to appeal to MAIS and other authorities to conduct a thorough investigation before taking any action against any party.
He also pointed out that Teo did not touch on politics while speaking in the surau.
The Selangor executive councillor also said Teo informed him that she was invited to give a speech after contributing RM1,000 to the surau’s committee.
MAIS chairman Datuk Mohamad Adzib Mohd Isa reportedly said Teo’s action had angered the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, who ordered immediate action against the management of the surau.
He said MAIS has taken over the management of the surau with immediate effect.
Mohamad Adzib reminded all non-Muslim politicians not to repeat a similar offence and to be sensitive to the feelings of Muslims.
