MP SPEAKS | I am compelled to respond to the utterly preposterous claim by PAS Youth deputy chief Hafez Sabri, who recently branded DAP as a “subversive force” allegedly undermining the sovereignty of Islam in Malaysia.

Let me remind him that DAP is part of the democratically elected government - hardly the hallmark of any so-called “subversive” movement.

First, let us clarify what “subversive force” means in a political context.

A subversive force is typically a clandestine or covert group seeking to destabilise or overthrow an established government or political system, often by encouraging discord or fomenting unrest among the populace.

If the Youth deputy chief truly believes DAP fits this definition, I must question whether he has truly grasped the meaning of the term he so smugly hurls around.

On the contrary, if there is a party in Malaysia actively sowing seeds of discord and religious hatred - thus threatening the harmony and stability of our nation - it is clearly PAS.

The daily vitriol aimed at the government, often dressed in pious rhetoric, is precisely how real subversive forces operate: by stirring fear, mistrust, and division to topple an administration they cannot otherwise defeat at the ballot box.

Given that I am no stranger to street demonstrations myself, I fully support the right to peaceful assembly.

Indeed, I have been shoulder to shoulder with many of PAS’ senior members, back when they would climb atop trucks to address crowds - long before Hafez had even cut his activist teeth in Chemor.

PAS’ ‘derhaka’

However, let me be crystal clear: I would never demonstrate over matters that are constitutionally vested in the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the royal institution.

That is precisely the sort of behaviour PAS has repeatedly engaged in over the decades - threatening to undermine the very monarchy and constitutional system they claim to defend.

Historical records are littered with instances of PAS’ so-called “derhaka” (treason), which I suspect they would now prefer to sweep under the rug.

Remember when PAS simply refused to accept the audience granted by His Royal Highness the Perak sultan during the 2020 change of Perak menteri besar and just didn’t turn up?

Remember the defiance of a royal decree in Selangor by a PAS leader who continued to preach in a mosque despite his licence being withdrawn?

So let me offer a polite “lesson” to the Youth deputy chief, given his penchant for using terms beyond his grasp:

“Subversive” does not mean “criticising or disagreeing with your views”, especially when that criticism is part of the democratic process.

“Sovereignty” is not the exclusive domain of any single party’s interpretation or political advantage.

“Unity” is not achieved by sowing suspicion and animosity between Malaysians of different faiths and backgrounds.

If anyone is demonstrating subversive tendencies and undermining Malaysia’s constitutional democracy, it is those who perennially resort to divisive, inflammatory rhetoric in the name of politics.

So, perhaps next time, Hafez might wish to study the dictionary - and our Constitution - more thoroughly before slinging baseless accusations and big words he appears not to understand.

HOWARD LEE CHUAN HOW is the Ipoh Timor MP and a DAP central executive committee member.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.