COMMENT | What’s the difference between Rempit and Himpit? The first is a group of youths showing off their strength and intimidating others by revving their noisy motorcycles and behaving like road bullies.

How about PAS Youth members who brandished replica swords, shields, and spears recently, presumably to display the “power” of their political struggle by recreating a medieval Islamic army?

That’s a different pit of concerns known as Himpit - Himpunan Pemuda Islam Terengganu or the Terengganu Muslim Youth Gathering.

PAS leaders tried to explain it away as a “cosplay” event similar to Chinese opera. Really? Context is key. An opera is a musical drama of romance, intrigue, and whatnot meant to entertain and amuse. A march, however, is a show of force.

Can a group of Chinese youths parade along the streets of Kuala Lumpur as a Tang Dynasty army with swords and spears, ostensibly to celebrate “heritage”?...