It was reported in Nanyang Siang Pau and Sin Chew Daily dated 20 February 2008 that Kelantan MB and PAS spiritual advisor Nik Aziz was quoted as saying that non-Muslims are equal to orangutans “Pardon me? Did I read or hear wrongly?” is probably the next question you’re asking yourself now. Make no mistakes. Those were his exact words.

MCA strongly condemns the outrageous statement by Nik Aziz which is totally insensitive to the feelings of non-Muslims in this country. This clearly shows that PAS’s ultimate aim is to set up an extremist and theocratic state in Malaysia. Equating non-Muslims as ‘orangutans’ or ‘apes’ shows blatantly indicates that PAS sees non-Muslims as unworthy or dirty, and therefore insulting the latter is condonable. Absolute rots. Nik Aziz statement is degrading, and shows absolute disrespect against a fellow brethren or sister who professes a faith different from his.

With this statement from Nik Aziz, all the election manifesto and promises by PAS towards non-Muslims is as good as having gone down the drain. How can non-Muslims trust PAS anymore when all this while they made themselves appear to champion the interests of non-Muslims in this country. All these charades or better known in local jargon as “sandiwara” are merely pretense performed to win non-Muslim votes in the coming March 8 election.

According to Nik Aziz, those who reject Islamic teaching are equavalent to rejecting the grace from Allah and those who rejects the grace from Allah are no different from ‘orangutans’. So, a law-abiding Rakyat Malaysia who contributes positively to society, who is a Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Singh, Taoist, agnostic or atheist is an orangutan?

MCA Secretary-General Dato’ Ong Ka Chuan expressed outrage against the inflammatory statement by Nik Aziz which implied that all non-Muslims in the country are ‘orangutans’. His insensitive statement has totally downgraded the status and rights of non-Muslims in the country.

Ka Chuan stressed that PAS’s effort to turn Malaysia into a theocratic state has been exposed to the public. He added that Malaysia is a democratic country and we uphold the Federal Constitution as the highest law in the country. As stipulated in the Federal Constitution, every Malaysian is equal and our rights are guaranteed under the Constitution.

The offensive remark from Nik Aziz that all non-Muslims are equal to ‘orangutans’ does not exist in the Federal Constitution. Tell me, which holy scripture refers to non-believers of one's faith as animals? In fact, Nik Aziz statement smacks of xenophobic jingoistic, colonial patronizing mentality from the bygone era of foreign power imperialism. Readers will recall a section in the book, The Pearl, authored by John Steinback, where a Caucasian doctor refuses to treat a native because, “I’m a doctor, not a veterinarian.”

Nik Aziz’s statement has insulted all non-Muslims and hurt our dignity as a whole and risk to destroy the harmonious and close relationships that have been built and nurtured among the various races in the country all these years. Worst still, one fears what sort of treatment will be meted out against non-Muslims. Are we non-Muslim human beings to be confined or segregated in remote area resembling cages or zoos should Malaysia be turned into an extremist theocratic Islamic state which is what PAS advocates?

As we all are aware, PAS was set up with the main goal to achieve an Islamic state in this country. As outlined in Article 5 and 6 of PAS Constitution, it was stated very clearly the party’s political goal is to set up an Islamic state in the country and the ways to achieve their ultimate aim. As long as PAS does not amend their Party Constitution, non-Muslims will never be duped into thinking that PAS will fight for the rights and welfare of non-Muslims after they come into power. Would PAS ever have any shreds of mercy for non-Muslim orangutans?

On another matter, Ka Chuan stressed that the proposal to set up a welfare state that was championed by PAS is just a so called ‘branding’ and cover-up by the party to hide their actual goal to set up an Islamic state. He urges non-Muslims to be careful and think rationally before voting for Opposition come elections on March 8 because every single vote will determine the type of wakil rakyat to be elected into the government and represent the rakyat’s interests.

-MCA online-