Ministry taken to task over community clashes
Several members of parliament took the National Unity and Social Development Ministry to task in Parliament today for not clarifying the reasons behind the clashes in Petaling Jaya Selatan, which resulted in six deaths and scores more injured.
Barisan Nasional member of Parliament for Larut Ahmad Zainuddin Raja Omar called on the ministry to clarify whether the clashes were related to the opposition's calls for daily street demonstrations to "topple the government".
However, the ministry's parliamentary secretary Veerasingam Suppiah ruled out political motives and stressed that the clashes arose out of socio-economic problems.
Veerasingam said the situation deteriorated when certain quarters spread rumours about the clashes among the kampung people.
"I am urging all MPs not to sow seeds of hatred and fan feelings of anger between communities because the clash did not arise out of political reasons," said Veerasingam. He added that officers from his department are visiting the area daily.
Meanwhile, PAS member of Parliament for Kubang Kerian Husam Musa commended Veerasingam for clarifying that the clashes had nothing to do with politics.
"I hope this statement can be recycled and used by all ministries since there are ministers who are trying to link the opposition with the clashes," he said.
Husam also raised the issue of media integrity. He queried whether a neutral study will be carried out regarding the matter, adding that he thought certain media were encouraging politics of hate.
Veerasingam did not respond to Husam's concern, and instead told the house that when he visited the area on the third day following the outbreak of the clash, he saw a group of about a hundred youths gathered by the opposition's side. Though he admitted not knowing if it was the opposition who had gathered them, he said that demonstrations will not help unite the people.
He said the opposition had twisted the truth by telling people that the government had wasted funds on projects like the Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC).
"Such talk will only make the poor angry with the government and will not encourage unity when it is only unity that can ensure a bright future," he explained.
Poverty eradication programmes
Meanwhile, PAS member of Parliament for Kuala Terengganu Syed Azman Syed Ahmad claimed the root cause of the problem was poverty as the people there have been denied housing for 14 years.
He said the government has been blind to the problems of poverty not only in Petaling Jaya Selatan but in other areas as well.
"National unity is only a make-up and the government has only done quick-fix projects to solve the problem," said Syed Azman.
"As long as the Indian community support the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC), their conditions will not change," he added.
Defending MIC, Veerasingam said the party has started many programmes to improve living conditions in the area, but some of them were halted about four years ago.
He said Selangor Mentri Besar Mohamad Khir Mohamad Toyo and City Hall (DBKL) have given their assurances that they will look into the problem.
Poverty, Veerasingam added, can be overcome through education and the prime minister has ordered every ministry to draw up programmes to eradicate poverty. Those who earn below RM500 per month could seek to ease their financial burden on items such as bus fares and so forth from the welfare department, he said.
Meanwhile, those who earn below RM400 per month can apply for financial assistance for their children as much as RM60 to RM250 per month from the same department.
However, DAP member of Parliament for Bukit Mertajam Chong Eng interjected and said those were welfare programmes and would not empower the people to be financially independent.
She also queried whether the clashes arose out of low tolerance level between the Muslims and Hindus as similar problems also occurred in Kampung Rawa, Penang three years ago.
'Certain quarters'
Veerasingam said the Petaling Jaya Selatan clashes cannot be used as a benchmark to measure the tolerance level between different religious communities in the country. He also noted that there were not many differences between the Muslims and Hindus in terms of food and customs anyway.
He reiterated that the clashes were not racial in nature but due to social problems.
Chong, however, insisted that the government must admit there were racial elements which sparked the clashes. She said the government must explain the reasons behind the clashes and cited a case in Penang yesterday, where a Hindu temple was robbed and some of its statues were smashed.
"Are the incidents related or is this normal behaviour?" she asked.
Meanwhile, PAS member of Parliament for Parit Buntar Hassan Mohd Ali said there were many versions concerning the clashes and statements from government leaders were contradictory.
He criticised the government's 'fire-fighting' approach to settling problems, such as spending lots of funds on development projects during by-elections.
Since the clashes occurred, every top official from the prime minister right down to parliamentary secretary has been talking about 'certain quarters' which are to be blamed for the happenings.
"What and who are these 'certain quarters'?" he questioned.
Neighbourliness projects
BN member of Parliament for Lubok Hantu, Jawah Anak Gerang queried whether the problems in Petaling Jaya Selatan arose because one community felt isolated or left out from the mainstream development.
Veerasingam responded that the government's projects included all communities and good neighbourliness projects will also be encouraged in all areas.
He related an incident in Sepang where a group of Indians had dived into a river to help save a Malay man who almost drowned after his car had plunged into the river following an accident.
"That is what unity is all about," said Veerasingam.
On the other hand, PAS member of Parliament for Rantau Panjang, Abdul Fatah Harun blamed the media for spreading rumours about the clashes. He added that the federal government should learn from Kelantan on how to solve such problems.
Veerasingam said the government had helped set up rukun tetangga in Kelantan and added that he was glad the problems in the state were well-managed.
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