Thousands of reports ignored, PM's 'we are family' remark rings hollow - NGO

With Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim saying he would act against those playing up 3R issues while calling all Malaysians one family, an NGO leader questioned if the 3R (royalty, race, religion) rule only applies to non-Muslims.

Global Human Rights Federation (GHRF) president S Shashi Kumar claimed that there are double standards when it comes to dealing with insults levelled against minorities.

“It’s very good and I support it (Anwar’s stand), but my question is, why do people like (preachers) Zamri Vinoth (Kalimuthu) Firdaus Wong, Syakir Nasoha, Idris Sulaiman, Ridhuan Tee and (Perlis mufti) Asri (Zainul Abidin) are not investigated or charged?

“This is despite thousands of reports being lodged against them, with proof of evidence being handed to the police.

“However, until today, the Madani government has yet to charge these people. So, is 3R only for non-Muslims who utter remarks against Islam, is this what the PM is trying to say?” asked Shashi when contacted.

On Sept 10, Anwar described Malaysians as being part of one family in the Chinese language during his speech.

“Malay, Chinese, Indian, Dayak, or Kadazan, we are all one family,” the premier said in Mandarin much to the amusement of those present at the 17th World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention in Kuala Lumpur.

On Aug 28, the police launched an investigation on PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang for linking non-Muslims and non-bumiputera to systemic corruption in the country.

However, Hadi has yet to be charged in court.

On Nov 1, 2022, five groups, including GHRF, filed a judicial review over the decision by the Attorney-General’s Chambers and the inspector-general of police not to prosecute Syakir for his allegedly inflammatory remarks against non-Muslims.

In the review, Shashi claimed that Syakir’s case is not the first time reports lodged against similar cases have ended up being classified as “no further action” (NFA).

He said reports were also lodged against other religious preachers who have allegedly made inflammatory remarks as well, such as Zamri, Wong and Idris.

The High Court dismissed their review bid on Feb 27 last year and the group approached the Court of Appeal for redress.

Why probe Teresa under 3R?

Citing DAP MP Teresa Kok’s situation as an example, Shashi chided the authorities for investigating the Seputeh lawmaker for questioning the Islamic Development Department’s proposal to mandate halal certification on non-Muslim eateries not serving alcohol and pork.

“How can that come under the 3R probe? She was just expressing her views under Article 10 of the Federal Constitution which protects freedom of speech and expression.

“But when it comes to (Umno Youth chief) Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh, he was not charged for all his remarks.

“And this is the double standard from the Madani government. We changed the government for betterment but that is not happening here,” he lamented.

Kok gave her statement at the Bukit Aman police headquarters on Sept 10 over her remarks and stressed that as an elected leader, she has a responsibility to voice out the grouses and views of her multiracial constituents.

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