I have today lodged a police report against Ruslan Kasim, the Negeri Sembilan Chief of Perkasa.
Ruslan on 23 June 2014 allegedly made the following remarks at a demonstration outside Istana Kayangan in Shah Alam:
“Suara mereka suara Israel, mereka yang anti Islam, minda mereka dicemari dengan musuh Islam… Jika kamu tidak tutup mulut kamu daripada terus memperkotak-katikkan Islam, kita akan tutup mulut kamu dan jika kamu mengkhianati Sultan, kita akan pancung kepalakamu… Biarkan kamu mati daripada terus menjadi parasit.”
This was apparently in response to four PAS MPs who called for the limitation of the power of the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS) as a result of the controversy of the seizure of Malay and Iban bibles by the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS).
Ruslan’s remarks are uncivilized and clearly criminal in nature.
His words were unhelpful and irresponsible in a multiracial, multi-religious country like Malaysia, which is also a democracy. There is simply no place for such rhetoric and behaviour in Malaysia.
This is a country of laws. No one has the right to threaten another person or persons with violence—including elected officials—for whatever reason.
If Ruslan had a genuine grievance, he ought to have resorted to legal methods. As it is, his remarks clearly show the contempt that Perkasa and he has for the laws of this country.
Malaysia cannot be a stable or prosperous country while individuals like Ruslan and bodies like Perkasa are allowed to make such threats.
Indeed, by behaving in such a rowdy fashion, they are doing no favours to the cause or dignity of the Malays, Islam and the Malay Rulers.
If Prime Minister Najib Razak and his government is serious about upholding the rule of law, then they must take immediate action against Ruslan, Perkasa and other bodies of their ilk.
There is however, no need to charge him under the Sedition Act, or to wait for the new National Harmony Bill to be tabled and come into force.
Indeed, Ruslan’s actions are clearly a form of criminal intimidation, which is an offence under Section 503 of the Penal Code.
I repeat, action must be taken against Ruslan and Perkasa in order to safeguard peace and harmony in Malaysia.
