Nga's 'zakat' remark a harmless metaphor, says DAP Youth

DAP Youth deputy chief Wayne Ong Chun Wei has defended party vice chairperson Nga Kor Ming’s remarks about the wing’s financial situation, after the latter came under attack for his use of the word ”zakat“ (alms obligated by Islam).

According to Ong, Nga merely used the word to highlight DAP Youth’s situation as one of the most resource-deprived organisations within DAP and urgently needed financial support to drive reforms.

There was no intention to offend any religion and belittle the concept of zakat, he said.

Earlier today, Selangor PAS Youth chief Mohamed Sukri Omar urged Nga to apologise and retract his statement. He also urged DAP leaders to be mindful of Muslim sensitivities to avoid creating misunderstandings.

“Using the word zakat to ridicule or as a political tool is an irresponsible act.

“And I must stress that the word cannot and should not be used to compare positions of any political parties.

“The DAP’s actions are regrettable as if they don’t understand Muslim sensitivities,” Sukri said.

Ong, in a statement, pointed fingers back at PAS by accusing the party of being a “habitual offender” when it comes to harming race relations.

As examples, he cited PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang’s claim that non-Muslims are the root cause of corruption, and Kedah Chief Minister Sanusi Md Nor’s derogatory remarks about Tourism Minister Tiong King Sing by comparing him to a “pot-bellied, bald deity (Buddha)”.

“Why does PAS Youth turn a blind eye to their leaders’ discriminatory remarks? Yet, they seize on Nga’s harmless metaphor to create controversy.

“This kind of schizophrenic double standard is laughable,” Ong said.

On Sunday, Nga reportedly announced that he would contribute his one month’s MP salary to DAP Youth, which he said is the party’s “poorest wing” and even deserved to receive zakat.

“The wing is so poor that they are eligible to receive zakat,” he was quoted as saying.

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