MPs who make empty Islamophobia claims should also be fined: Kit Siang

KUALA LUMPUR – The Dewan Rakyat speaker’s plans to fine MPs RM1,000 for uttering racist and sexist remarks in Parliament should include baseless statements accusing others of promoting Islamophobia, DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang said.

“Parliamentary reforms should also specify that MPs who make racist or religious allegations, for instance, that someone is promoting Islamophobia, should be punished if they cannot substantiate the allegation,” Lim said in a statement.

He was responding to Speaker Datuk Johari Abdul’s recent proposal to use existing provisions for fining MPs RM1,000 on those who make sexist and racist remarks in the chamber.

Johari said he was also mulling amendments to increase the amount, besides having offending MPs suspended for such remarks.

Lim said lawmakers who accuse others of Islamophobia have to prove their allegations.

His statement did not elaborate, but for context, his party DAP has often been on the receiving end of such allegations by critics and rivals from Malay-Muslim political parties.

This includes previous claims that DAP was an anti-Islam party, and that some of its lawmakers had agendas to “Christianise” Malaysia. – The Vibes, February 7, 2023