A difference in opinion over fairer distribution of education scholarships descended into a spat over the use of unsavoury language between the Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia (Abim) and blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin.

In a statement today, Abim vice-president Azril Mohd Amin decried Raja Petra’s attempt to portray the group as an ‘enemy’ of Islam and pluralistic society.

He also berated the blogger for using expletives to rebut Abim’s arguments on Malay privileges.

“Muslims and all civilised people are encouraged to rationally and responsibly discuss issues, and are discouraged from using inappropriate language,” said Azril.

“Abim believes in civilised resolution of conflict, not accusatory statements, especially those without substance and stated in sailor's language.”

While Abim respects Raja Petra’s right to argue his points, his use of the media to defame an Islamic organisation “is a breach of his responsibilities as a Muslim, a Malaysian citizen and as a journalist blogger”.

Last Friday, Abim had asked the government to clarify its move to increase the availability of scholarships to non-bumiputeras, from 10 percent to 45 percent.

raja petra kamaruddin and malaysia today 250707 Raja Petra responded to this on his website last Sunday, in his ‘No Holds Barred’ column.

In a posting entitled ‘B******* Islam from b******* Muslims’ that Abim’s leaders are munafik (hypocrites) and fasik (sinners) for their “racist” stand on scholarship opportunities.

Raja Petra said the real Islam gives great importance to social justice and the interests of the larger community, and not to parochial interests.

“This means you uphold the teachings of Prophet Muhammad by opposing racism and the Umnoputera ‘caste system’ that exists in Malaysia. But Umno and Abim do the opposite to all this,” he alleged.

“Umno and Abim are enemies of the community. Umno and Abim are enemies of Islam. Umno and Abim serve the party and their own race. Umno and Abim are not true Muslims. Umno and Abim are b******* Muslims. Umno and Abim are practising b******* Islam,” he ranted.

‘Show respect’

However, Azril said it is the Muslim’s duty to engage others in a respectful manner when discussing and debating issues.

Using ‘b…s…t’ as an adjective does not fulfill any of these requisite elements to discussion and presentation, he pointed out.

umno He also denied Raja Petra’s attempt to associate Abim with Umno, saying that Abim seeks to work towards a government that acts “ethically and legally” and aims to benefit all Malaysians.

“(Raja Petra) has not only darkened his reputation as an observer and commentator, he has also sought to darken that of a viable, honest and valued Islamic NGO within Malaysian culture. He does himself, Abim and its objectives of dialogue... a great disservice,” he added.

Not one to leave the last word to his critics, however, Raja Petra this morning posted a response.

Taking up Abim’s objection to his use of abrasive language, Raja Petra said he would then ‘whack’ the group “gently”.

Writing at length on the importance that Islam places on fulfilling justice, he accused Abim of practising two standards of justice.

“Ninety percent of the tax is paid by the non-Malays and 10 percent by the Malays. But 10 percent of the scholarships must go to the non-Malays and 90 percent to the Malays,” he said.

“And when they propose to change this to 40 percent for the non-Malays and 60 percent for the Malays, the Malays raise a hue and cry. And they call this justice. And they say Islam is about justice.

“If this is an example of Islamic justice then I just shudder to think what would happen if Muslims start becoming unjust.”

Last Friday, Abim secretary-general Khairul Arifin Mohd Munir acknowledged that new rules and mechanisms are needed to tackle poverty among non-bumiputeras.

However, he said it would be a mistake to do so merely by increasing the percentage of scholarships for non-bumiputeras without increasing the total number of scholarships.

abim and university students 290508 Arguing that there is a constitutional basis for assisting bumiputeras, particularly in education, he cited the need to alleviate the higher incidence of poverty in this ethnic group and to achieve social balance.

He said that a detailed study should be carried out the reasons for current problems and to review the awarding of scholarships, including placements in universities abroad.