Asri says video slamming ‘pariah caste’ is 10 years old

The recording was made from a speech criticising Hindraf and should be seen in the context of that time, according to a statement by the Perlis Mufti.

PETALING JAYA: A 10-year-old video showing Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin calling Indians brought to the then Malaya by the British colonialists “pariah” should be viewed in the context of the time when Hindraf attacked the Malaysian government repeatedly, according to a statement posted on the Perlis Mufti’s Facebook page.

The statement questioned certain “racist media” which highlighted Asri’s video but ignored another video showing a gathering that insulted the Malays.
“Why have the pro-Hindraf media fanned anger over a 10-year-old video but are silent about the recording of a gathering that insulted the Malays, calling them naked, without their own original religion, and the like,” it added.

In the Asri video, which emerged yesterday, he is seen telling a forum about how the low-caste people lived a “degrading life” in India and yet had demanded for rights after being brought to this country by the British.

“The life they enjoy here is a thousand times better than that in their original country,” he said.
The video came two weeks after another believed to have been recorded at a Hindraf gathering in Kuala Lumpur in late 2007 that showed a person making a speech that insulted the Malays.
Asri and Hindraf leader P Waythamoorthy have lately been locked in a verbal battle over controversial Indian Muslim preacher Dr Zakir Naik whom the NGO wants deported for allegedly stirring ill-will between the followers of different religions.

Naik is wanted for questioning by the Indian authorities for alleged money laundering and fomenting terrorism, but has been granted permanent residency by the Malaysian government.
Asri recently posted a poem on Facebook which derided “cow-worshippers” , which angered Hindus. However, the mufti later claimed it was directed at Indian prime minister Narendra Modi for his treatment of Muslims in India.

The statement on Asri’s Facebook page today said he was well-known for his views which promoted harmony between religions.

It said Asri’s remarks recently were in response to Hindraf, “not motivated by enmity towards Hindus”.

“We have lived in peace for a long time in this country. Hindus have also contributed a lot to the benefit of Malaysia. So, the issue is not the Hindu religion but organisations like Hindraf.
“Issues causing enmity between religions must stop,” the statement said.

It proposed an open dialogue between Hindraf and Naik to enable Malaysians to judge the allegations fairly and justly.

“If there is anyone who refuses the dialogue, then he is not qualified to live in an open democracy such as ours. I hope Dr Naik will agree to hold a dialogue in a professional way without many conditions,” it added.