By Gobind Singh Deo, MP for Puchong

ISMA is an inconsequential organization which has no power to change the political landscape in Malaysia.

Malaysian’s should remain calm and remember that their citizenship and equality remain guaranteed under the Federal Constitution. The rants of ISMA however loud, just cannot change that.

It is groups like these which remind us how important it is for us to defend the Federal Constitution and to oppose any move which would have the effect of diluting its safeguards at any point in time.

But whilst all this is so, focus is more on the Prime Minister who has failed to exert leadership in his dealing with this issue.

The Prime Minister had a few days ago dismissed the perception that his patience, openness and liberalism is seen as weakness. He asked if we wanted a country in which anyone who expresses an opinion is arrested under the ISA? He was presumably speaking about criticism of his handling of the ISMA issue.

With respect, the Prime Minister is either oblivious to the issue or simply playing ignorant. We are not talking about arrests under the ISA.

What is significant is a firm political response by the Prime Minister to people who express such views. The Prime Minister as leader of the government has a duty to state his government’s stand in cases like this. He is duty bound to reassure the nation that our constitution is supreme and that his government is fully committed to protecting this and that we are not under threat from the likes of ISMA.

Silence on the part of the Prime Minister makes matters worse. It gives the impression that the government is not opposed to organizations such as ISMA.

In addition to this, the fact that we now know that the Prime Minister’s government has funded groups such as PERKASA doesn’t help. And if this is not bad enough we remember the Prime Minister’s choice of some candidates in the last General Elections describing them as the best candidates for Barisan Nasional for the seat.

Najib is therefore incorrect to say that his silence on ISMA and its likes cannot be seen as a weakness on his part as Prime Minister of Malaysia.

His excuses do not hold water and he must acknowledge that he has not been brave enough to respond to these people for fear of the political repercussions.

As Member of Parliament, I call upon Najib Razak to now demonstrate that he is a Prime Minister for all Malaysians as he declared himself to be earlier.

He must state openly to all Malaysians that ISMA does not pose a threat and that his government does not support what it is they have said or done.

This I say he is duty bound to do and must do as Prime Minister of Malaysia without anymore delay.