Close vernacular schools, 'BM defender' DAP dared
Right-wing movement Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali has thrown a challenge to DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng.
Right-wing movement Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali has thrown a challenge to DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng.
His dare stemmed from the claims by DAP that it is defending the Malay-language bible on the grounds of protecting the national language.
"If they truly want to defend Bahasa Malaysia, then I challenge them to shut down all vernacular schools, and let all the pupils join national schools.
"Don't tell me they want to use Bahasa Malaysia for bibles, but mother-tongue languages for schools," he added.
Ibrahim was speaking to reporters outside the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya, where he and some 200 supporters had gathered for the Federal Court's verdict on the use of the term Allah in a Catholic weekly.
Apart from this court case, there is also another controversy surrounding the 321 copies of the bible in Malay and Iban languages that were seized by Islamic religious authorities in Selangor.
This morning, the Federal Court upheld the appellate court’s decision that the Catholic publication cannot use the term Allah.
Meanwhile, Ibrahim denied that Perkasa is racist or considers Christians as foes, claiming that its actions are to preserve national security.
"We do not want to fight with the Christians. Since achieving Merdeka 57 years ago, there has been no such enmity.
"It is up to them to use whatever language in other countries, that is their right. But not in Malaysia...," he added.
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