In Syerleena Abdul Rashid’s world, sensitivities matter—not Muslim ones. When KK Mart was caught selling “ham and cheese” sandwiches with a fake halal logo, the outrage from Muslims was immediate and justified. This wasn’t a petty issue of semantics; it was a breach of religious trust and a direct attack on the integrity of halal certification.
Yet, instead of addressing the crux of the matter, Syerleena, the DAP MP for Bukit Bendera, chose to chastise Muslims, dismissing their concerns as overreactions and labelling them as easily triggered.
This response is deeply hypocritical coming from someone whose party, the DAP, has consistently positioned itself as a champion of community sensitivities—except, it seems, when it comes to Muslims.
Let’s be clear: Syerleena and her party have a track record of defending cultural and religious sensitivities when they suit their narrative. When Indian temples faced demolition, DAP was among the first to stand in solidarity. When Chinese schools or cultural practices are questioned, DAP rallies behind the cause, often demanding respect and understanding from the majority.
Why is it acceptable to validate the sensitivities of Chinese and Indian communities but not Muslims? Syerleena herself had defended the non-Malays on several occasions such as this. Were they quickly triggered, too?
Consider the infamous “hot dog” controversy. While many Malaysians scoffed at the idea of renaming a beloved food item, JAKIM’s decision was rooted in ensuring that halal certification adhered to the highest standards. Even if some disagreed with the change, halal authorities treated the issue seriously. Muslims understood that the term “hot dog” had little to do with dogs but acknowledged the cultural and religious sensitivities behind the decision.
Why else do you think that JAKIM's standard in the halal industry is world-class and much sought after by non-Muslim countries that want to profit in the halal industry?
In stark contrast, the word “ham” has always been synonymous with pork. Western dictionaries are clear on this. The introduction of terms like “turkey ham” and “chicken ham” was an attempt to mimic the taste of pork for non-Muslim consumers.
Yet, when Muslims voice concerns about such terms in halal-labelled products, they are derided as ignorant and hypersensitive. This is not just dismissive—it’s insulting.
Syerleena’s response also highlights an unsettling trend within DAP: the tendency to deflect blame away from private entities that flout regulations. In this case, KK Mart’s failure to ensure compliance with halal certification standards was not the focus. Instead, the narrative shifted to blaming Muslims for expressing their grievances.
This isn’t the first time DAP has shown leniency towards corporate wrongdoings. Their track record suggests a pattern of siding with private businesses over community interests, especially when Muslim concerns are involved. Remember the ‘Allah’ socks controversy not too long ago, where another DAP leader said that the issue should not be escalated? By focusing on alleged over-sensitivity rather than the blatant misuse of a halal logo, Syerleena’s comments effectively excuse KK Mart’s negligence while alienating a significant segment of Malaysian society.
Like many in DAP, Syerleena’s favourite argument is to hide behind the banner of multiculturalism. But multiculturalism should not mean selectively respecting only specific communities while invalidating others. True multiculturalism requires consistent empathy and understanding across all cultural and religious lines.
By dismissing Muslim concerns over the misuse of the term “ham” in halal-labelled products, Syerleena trivializes the importance of halal integrity. Halal certification is more than just a label; it represents a deeply ingrained trust in food safety, cleanliness, and religious adherence. Undermining this trust has far-reaching implications, not just for Muslims but for the integrity of Malaysia’s food industry as a whole.
In Syerleena’s world, defending sensitivities is conditional. If it’s a Chinese business defending its cultural symbols or an Indian community fighting for its temples, the cause is righteous and worth championing. But if Muslims voice legitimate concerns about food labelling or halal integrity, they are dismissed as overly sensitive or divisive.
If Syerleena truly believes in the principles of equality and multiculturalism, it’s time for her and her party to take a hard look in the mirror. Respecting sensitivities isn’t a pick-and-choose exercise. Muslims deserve the same respect and understanding that DAP consistently demands from other communities. This kind of condescending attitude- typical of the ‘Bangsar Bubble’ that Syerleena is part of- is what pushes the Malay to the right. This is not dissimilar from how the hypocrisy of the extreme left and the Democrats in the US had moved millions of Americans into Trump's fold.
Syerleena’s dismissal of Muslim concerns over the KK Mart scandal exposes the hypocrisy at the heart of her party’s narrative. If DAP wants to be taken seriously as a party for all Malaysians, it must start by treating all communities equally—in action, not just rhetoric. Until then, Syerleena’s world will remain one of double standards and selective empathy.
Ahmad Mustakim is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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