Patriot takes very serious note of news reports yesterday about how some parties have attempted to run down the outgoing Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat.
According to the reports, she was vilified by naysayers and critics for being anti-Islam.
Patriot in taking serious offence to such attempts joins the chief justice in asking whether these institutional destroyers have been ordained the standing to question the faith of others.
At her final speech, at the Opening of the Legal Year 2025, Tengku Maimun said she had been criticised, vilified and labelled unIslamic or an enemy of Islam. This included having her spouse unfairly used against her in attempts to force her recusal.
Patriot joins the many law-abiding people and right-minded civil society groups in demanding an immediate stop to such disgraceful, dangerous and totally unacceptable abuse of religious sentiments. We also call for an end to attempts to undermine the sanctity of peace, harmony and trust that is much needed to keep building our struggling, beloved nation.
For far too long we have witnessed unabated ploys to gain political mileage or realise dubious party agendas by exploiting people, institutions and situations using religion.
This must stop now or Patriot will not hesitate to galvanise all right-minded, patriotic people to march against such destructive political agendas at work.
Patriot will rise against any tide to protect the institutions of the country.
Unfairly criticising and labelling institutional heads as unIslamic – as in the case of our country’s top judge – is also tantamount to disgracing Malaysia’s image in the eyes of the world.
Most certainly, such diabolical attempts by individuals, political parties and other quarters are unpatriotic and extremely intimidating.
Politicians and their stooges who continue to punch holes into the armour of nationhood better be forewarned.
Patriot members consist of retired uniformed service personnel, who never hesitated to risk their lives and limbs in defending our nation, as well as civilians and professionals who have joined our group. We will not hesitate to defend the nation by marching for a final purge of the use (abuse) of religion, race and self-interest to destroy our institutions and those honourably appointed to discharge their duties to the people and the country patriotically.
Media statement by Retired Lt Col Dato’ Zarazilah Mohd Ali, president of the Patriot National Association, Malaysia.