Recently, it was reported that Datuk Johnny Lim Eng Seng made history when he became the first Malaysian Chinese senior officer to be promoted to Lieutenant General in the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM).
Following this, PAS politician and preacher, Zaharudin Muhammad, warned that, in the next 30 to 40 years, a Chinese person could hold the position of Prime Minister of Malaysia. He has since deleted the post from Facebook, but a screenshot of it was shared by Bangi MP, Syahredzan Johan.
In the now-deleted Facebook post, Zaharudin Muhammad wrote a mock article paragraph announcing the “First Chinese Prime Minister of Malaysia” dated February 1, 2058.
A paragraph in the mock article read, “History was made when Malaysia’s first Chinese Prime Minister, who was born in Kampung Sungai Baru, was appointed as the 50th Prime Minister of Malaysia. He is a Malaysian born in Kampung Sungai Baru to parents who had obtained citizenship through the Malaysia My Second Home scheme, where both his parents had bought a condominium unit there 23 years ago.”
He then warned that such news will come out and become neutral in the next 30 to 40 years, while including a screenshot of a news article in regards to Datuk Johnny Lim Eng Seng’s promotion, while adding that it is “for illustration purposes only”.
While the Facebook post has been removed, a similar post is still available on Zaharudin’s Instagram.
“What is the motive?”
Bangi MP, Syahredzan Johan, shared the screenshot of Zaharudin Muhammad’s post while condemning him for disrespecting Datuk Johnny Lim Eng Seng’s promotion when it should be celebrated.
He wrote, “What is the motive of the former PAS Subang YDP, Ustaz Zaharudin Muhammad, to make such a post? What is wrong with a Chinese person being promoted to Lieutenant General in the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM)? Isn’t he also a Malaysian? The respect given to Datuk Johnny Lim Eng Seng should be a source of pride for all of us, teaching us about unity in diversity.”
“Unfortunately, it has been used as a source of divisive polemics like this, which will only divide the community. I don’t know if Ustaz Zaharuddin Muhammad still holds a position with PAS, but all parties should strongly condemn this statement. Politics and polemics like this should not be given space in the Malaysia we love.”
What do you think about this? Do feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section.
Also read: Man Steals 12 Statues from Chinese Temple in Melaka & Throws Them into the Ocean
