In a statement today, Patriot called for the people to “not allow” our country to become a failed state.
“We fully agree with the members of the G25 who released a statement on Monday saying ‘we should learn from countries which have turned into failed states because their governments used race and religious politics which do not take into account the religious sensitivities of all its citizens’.
“Politicians, bloggers, and cybertroopers, should by all means campaign on issues. However, do not incite hatred and cause racial disharmony,” Patriot said in the statement, calling for them to instead commit to uniting all Malaysians.
The group added that though such speeches are meant to be political in nature, the most important thing was to prevent it from stoking any hatred.
“As long as it does not cross the bounds to incite hatred among the races, and not use racial and religious sentiments to cause distrust and disunity, the people can tolerate.
“We despise individual politicians, political parties, bloggers, cybertroopers or anyone or group who cause disharmony through their speeches, writings and conduct.
“Only unscrupulous and irresponsible persons will exploit issues related to race and religion.”
The group also criticised leaders who spoke with a lot of rhetoric but little or no substance.
“Politicians from both sides have resorted to calling names, uncouth brandishing, using harsh and vulgar language, against each other.
“Talking like a childish and uneducated person does not only reflect lowly on oneself, it is also insulting to the Malaysian populace,” Patriot said.
The group also observed that such attacks are getting worse due to the heat of political campaigning as the country approaches the next general election, which has to be called by June next year.
While the Patriot statement did not give any specific examples, it is believed to allude to the barbs and name calling that have been traded between Prime Minister Najib Razak and former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad in recent weeks.
On Oct 14, Mahathir, 92, had claimed at the “Love Malaysia, End Kleptocracy” rally organised by opposition coalition Pakatan Harapan in Petaling Jaya, that Malaysia was being led by a prime minister who was “a thief, bandit, a robber”.
“This is our country today. This kind of thing where a prime minister is a robber has never happened before.
“Yes, it may be because he comes from Bugis pirates. We don’t know how he got lost and reached Malaysia,” the PPBM chairman said, referring to Najib.
Then, on Sunday, when addressing the MCA general assembly, Najib used a term that is considered brash or rude alluding to Mahathir as well as the opposition.
“It is stupid of them to make these allegations. ‘Kepala bapa kau’ (aggressive phrase literally meaning ‘your father’s head’)” he said in reference to accusations that the government was betraying the country by giving development projects to Chinese companies.
“Where does the loss of sovereignty come from?” Najib asked.
The Malay phrase “kepala bapa kau” is often used to rebut someone’s statement in a brash manner.
‘Kepala bapak kau’, Najib tells critics on ‘selling sovereignty’ claims