KUALA LUMPUR, March 19 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today expressed disapproval of the incident involving a non-Muslim youth being slapped by an elderly man while eating at a convenience store in a shopping mall in Johor Bahru during Ramadan.
The Prime Minister's senior press secretary Tunku Nashrul Abaidah said the Prime Minister believes that issues that touch on religious, racial and ethnic sensitivities can be avoided if all parties comply and are committed to practising the principle of mutual respect to build a civilised country.
More than that, he said such actions must be stopped because they are against the spirit of national unity and harmony.
“What is the point of us talking about Islam and its beauty, especially during the month of Ramadan, if it does not build internal strength and distance us from hostile attitudes that threaten peace and harmony,” he said at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) daily briefing which was broadcast live on Anwar and PMO Malaysia's Facebook pages, today.
Last Monday, Johor Bahru North police chief ACP Balveer Singh Mahindar Singh confirmed police had received a report from the 21-year-old youth about the incident which occurred at 3.45 pm on Sunday.
Balveer Singh was quoted as saying that the complainant, who was eating at the time of the incident, claimed that he was slapped twice on the right cheek by an unknown man after being asked about his religion and asked to show his MyKad as evidence. The incident also went viral on social media through two videos lasting 32 and 44 seconds.
Meanwhile, Tunku Nashrul also said there were active efforts by several parties who continued to spread continuous slander against the Prime Minister with various series and repeated outdated stories.
“This shows the desperation of these parties to try to influence the minds of the public and the futility of their ideas in efforts to develop the country.
“Spreading slander, especially during the month of Ramadan, is the lowest of morals and is strictly prohibited by Islam,” he said, adding that such attempts would be closely monitored so that they would not threaten and weaken the spirit and aspiration to ensure the wellbeing of the people and the country.
-- BERNAMA
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