Ex-Klang MP: Don’t allow those fanning religious flames to unseat Anwar

Former Klang MP Charles Santiago has warned Malaysians that they need to be united in the face of attempts to play up religious divisions for political gain.

“We are seeing an increase in the play of religion on politics as a way of unseating Prime minister Anwar Ibrahim and painting him as someone who can’t protect Islam and the rights of Malay-Muslims. 

“This a ploy for political gain and so, we need to remain united as one people,” said Charles (above), who served as Klang MP from 2008 to 2022.

He pointed to attempts to portray the “Jom Ziarah” initiative as an evangelist programme.

“We again see Christians being fashioned as proselytising Muslims. Much of the Christian script was in Malay in Sabah and Sarawak before it was made to be a ‘dangerous weapon’ used to confuse Muslims.

“This narrative has dangerous consequences. Such unfounded rhetoric and recent statements preventing Muslims from visiting other houses of worship or detailing how they should behave only insult Muslims as people whose faith is weak when this isn’t true,” added Charles.

He was referring to the recent ban by Selangor on Muslims attending programmes at non-Muslim houses of worship 

Charles said that those fanning such religious and racial sentiments don’t care about the country or its people, but political power.

“It’s easy to spot them for they are those who use their position of authority within their religion. 

“The current government isn’t perfect but Anwar is a better option. So let’s come together as Malaysians to reject the use of religious belief to manipulate, control and dominate us through fear,” he said.

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