How does PAS define “moral decay” ?
31 October 2012
Press statement by Perak MCA Secretary Datuk Tan Chin Meng
How does PAS define "moral decay" ?
Jeepers creepers: A group of students from a local university having fun during a Halloween party on campus.
An article in The Star (31 Oct 2012) which quotes Johor PAS commissioner Dato' Dr Mahfodz Mohamed expressing that "(Halloween costumes), can lead to moral decay" or that Halloween "parties can get wild where alcohol would eventually be consumed" thus requiring guidelines be drawn up once again highlights PAS' intrusive intents into the personal spheres of individuals which also will affect non-Muslims.
If not railing against pop concerts, fining women for not wearing long sleeves, the distrust against Halloween's Day comes is a mere continuation of PAS' Taliban-like social-bashing, where any form of celebration of occasions intended for merriment will always be construed as "leading to moral decay." It was just two years ago when PAS Youth reviled Valentine's Day as the cause of baby "dumping being more rampant because celebrations are indication of mating season" (The Star, 19 Aug 2010).
PAS' repeated references to moral decadence amounts to nothing more than its goal of moral policing and interference be it on attire, performing arts or harmless revelries.
Individuals must exercise self-restraint on alcohol & wild parties
While acknowledging that some parties can get out of control, these misadventures can occur at any birthday, wedding anniversary, post final exam party and not just Halloween.
Recognizing that Islam prohibits alcohol consumption, the onus and trust is on the individual to abstain from alcohol in abidance with his/her religious practices. Non-Muslims sometimes serve alcohol at their functions for the afore-mentioned occasions where Muslim guests are also invited. Are non-Muslims to be prevented from inviting Muslim friends and relatives from partaking in the get-togethers?
So long as existing city and council by-laws are not broken, or house party noise levels maintained at a certain volume which will not affect the neighbours' peace or that Halloween revelers or party goers maintain public order and do not descend into a street disorderly conduct or rage, homeowners or premises management have given consent, PAS should refrain from its stereotype that festivities result with moral decay.
Why pick on Halloween parties but not Bersih assembly?
I am also perplexed as to why PAS targets festivities as "the cause of moral decay" but yet, extolled on its members and Opposition supporters to participate in Bersih rallies and other forms of street demonstrations against the government of which the scale is anytime more enormous than Halloween parties.
The Bersih protests descended into chaos and saw pre-pubescent children exposed to vandalism, chaotic crowds. These and together with destroying public property which violates the law – are they not a more serious form of "moral decay"?
Datuk Tan Chin Meng
MCA Perak Secretary
-MCA online-
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