UMNO Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhammad Akmal Saleh has criticised attempts to inject racial sentiments into the Tabung Haji controversy, stressing that wrongdoing should be attributed to individuals rather than an entire community.
He said any alleged misconduct or theft involving the Islamic pilgrimage fund should not be used as a reason to blame Malays as a whole simply because those accused happened to be Malay.
“If someone stole from Tabung Haji and that person is Malay, it is unfair to immediately blame the Malay community.
“Just as in corporate scandals or the tunnel issue, where individuals from other races have been accused of wrongdoing, should we then blame their entire communities?” he said in a Facebook post.
Muhammad Akmal said wrongdoing exists across all communities and should be dealt with based on the actions of the individuals involved, rather than their ethnic background.
“There are Malays who steal. There are Chinese who steal. There are Indians who steal. Every community has good people and individuals who commit wrongdoing.
“So, do not insult or demean an entire race because of the actions of a few individuals,” he said.
He added that authorities with the power to govern should focus on taking firm action against anyone suspected of wrongdoing instead of engaging in political blame games.
“If someone steals, arrest them. Investigate them. Charge them. Bring them to court. Let the law determine who is guilty.
“Especially when you are in government. You have the power, agencies and laws. Use them.
“Do not become the government but continue speaking like the Opposition, pointing fingers while failing to take action,” he said.
Muhammad Akmal also warned against applying double standards based on race, saying no community should be collectively condemned for the actions of individuals.
“Do not insult Malays simply because the offender is Malay, while remaining silent when the offender is from another race,” he said.
He concluded by stressing that while criminals may come from different racial backgrounds, crime itself does not belong to any particular race.
