Marina flayed by extremist Perkasa for defending Christians

Perkasa has slammed activist Marina Mahathir for showing solidarity with the besieged Christians at a Klang church yesterday instead of siding with the Muslims.

"The public knows who Marina Mahathir she is, one of those individuals who champion the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community...

"What are her motives for gathering with others to show solidarity with Christian worshippers at a church in Klang yesterday?

"Does she want to create another controversy or does she purposely want to get cheap publicity while at the same time issuing statements condemning Jais?" said Perkasa Youth head Irwan Fahmi Ideris in a statement today.

He said as a Muslim, the daughter of former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad should be together with the Muslim community to defend the word 'Allah' from being used by Christians.

Mahathir is a long-time patron of the right-wing Malay supremacist group.

Irwan was quick to capitalise on the relationship.

"As a Muslim and a daughter of a former prime minister who has done much to champion Islam and our race, (Marina's) actions have raised a thousand questions for Malaysians, especially the Muslims.

"Where is her akidah (Islamic faith), and does she agree with the use of 'Allah' by non-Muslims," he charged, stressing Perkasa's vehement condemnation of her actions yesterday.

Sunday melodrama over 'Allah'

Acrimony over the Christians' use of 'Allah' in their Malay prayers hit a new chapter this month when editor of the Catholic weekly The Herald father Lawrence Andrew said on Dec 27 that Selangor churches will continue the practice.

The statement provoked Muslim lobbyists in the state to threaten to protest at Andrew's church, erroneously assumed to be the Our Lady of Lourdes church in Klang.

With Selangor Umno showing support for the looming protest on Sunday morning, a group of 40 civilians comprising a number Muslims including Marina turned up at the church bearing flowers for the congregation in a gesture of solidarity.

In the face of strong criticism, Selangor Umno chief Noh Omar backed down and banned its members from joining the protest, which was eventually moved to a field nearby.

Selangor Umno members nevertheless joined the 100-strong protest while Sunday mass at Our Lady of Lourdes proceeded peacefully.

Meanwhile when approached today about Perkasa's blistering criticism against her today, Marina told Malaysiakini that she will not respond.

"I don't want to comment on Perkasa. I think they are so (full of) rubbish," she said, rolling her eyes.

Msiakini