A group of activists led by vocal lawyer Siti Kasim today gathered outside the Prime Minister’s Office in a show of solidarity for P Waythamoorty, amid growing calls for the minister in charge of unity to take responsibility for the death of a fireman during a temple fracas.
“There are many things that many people don’t know. He is not just for the Hindus and Indians, he is working for the unity of everyone.
“As a Malay myself, I do not see him as sidelining any race or religion,” Siti Kasim told reporters today, adding that Waythamoorty has also been “working really hard” for the Orang Asli community.
Calls for Waythamoorty to resign grew louder after the death of fireman Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim, some two weeks after he was assaulted by a mob outside the Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman temple.
Waythamoorty and several ministers had been criticised by leaders from both sides of the divide for accusing the police of inaction when the temple was attacked by another mob a day earlier.
But Siti said the calls for Waythamoorty to step down were “selective persecution” by people who are out to get political mileage.
“I hope the people of Malaysia can see through what’s being done right now,” she said.
The pro-Waythamoorty memorandum today, backed by 211 organisations, was received by Abu Bakar Yahya, political secretary to Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
It hit out at groups “attempting to bully Malaysians into submission” and called for public support towards the investigations into the circumstances surrounding the temple protests and Adib’s death.
It said blaming Waythamoorty for Adib’s death was a distraction from the real problems affecting the country such as religious intolerance and racism.
Siti said that 211 NGOs had jointly signed the memorandum.
Also present at the event was Sisters in Islam executive director Rozana Isa, social activist Azrul Mohd Khalib, and several supporters from the Independent Living and Training Centre Malaysia.
The memorandum of support also said that Waythamoorty had been made a scapegoat in the Seafield temple riots.
“Blaming minister P Waythamoorthy for the riots which occurred and for the death of (firefighter) Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim, making him a scapegoat for what has happened since, and finally calling for his resignation, is a convenient distraction from addressing the real problems which are affecting our country, namely racism and religious intolerance,” read the memo.
Siti also criticised Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, over his call for Waythamoorthy to resign.
“They (the ministers) are not stupid people, except maybe one who’s not in tandem with the other ministers.
“He (Syed Saddiq) is supposed to be the minister for all Malaysians, not just for Bersatu and (Bersatu Youth wing) Armada. This is not about his political party.
“Some have texted me saying how disappointed they were with him. His constituency (Muar) comprises mainly non-Malays and he has upset a lot of people,” she said, adding that the minister had turned arrogant when pro-Waythamoorthy groups criticised him.
In a statement on his Facebook page two days ago, Syed Saddiq said that he was ready to face the consequences if his call for Waythamoorthy to step down was deemed wrong.
“I did not enter politics to play safe. I did not enter politics to be a ‘yes man’.
“I did not enter politics to (keep my) my mouth and ears shut when the people voice out.
“I am ready for action to be taken if what I did was wrong. I will never apologise for speaking my mind,” his post read.