MCA National Youth deputy chairman Mike Chong Yew Chuan has criticised academic and Muslim preacher Ridhuan Tee Abdullah over remarks concerning the attendance of political leaders at the funeral of the late Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali.
Chong said Ridhuan should not have used the funeral, which brought together figures from different political backgrounds, as an opportunity to question their motives or portray their attendance as hypocrisy.
Ridhuan recently wrote on Facebook that he had attended the funeral and observed political leaders paying their respects to Dr Siti Hasmah. He questioned their actions and suggested that some had only shown concern after her death.
Dr Siti Hasmah, the wife of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, died on Sept 28 at the age of 100.
The government accorded her a state funeral in recognition of her contributions to the country, particularly in healthcare, education and community welfare. She was laid to rest at Pusara Negara in Putrajaya on the same day.
Chong said the presence of political leaders and members of the public at the funeral should be viewed as an expression of respect for the deceased and her family, regardless of their political differences.
“This is not the time to manufacture antagonism or question why people from different political backgrounds came to pay their respects,” he remarked.
“Malaysia is a multi-racial, multi-religious and multicultural country. We should be able to disagree politically without turning every issue involving race, religion or identity into a confrontation.”
Chong also accused Ridhuan of repeatedly raising issues involving language, ethnicity and identity.
He cited Ridhuan’s recent criticism of the amount of Bahasa Malaysia used in Malaysia Airlines’ inflight magazine, his questioning of the use of Chinese characters on Hungry Ghost Festival banners, and his characterisation of the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) as a “product of communism”.
Ridhuan’s recent comments on language visibility have also drawn public debate. In August, he questioned the absence of Bahasa Malaysia on a Hungry Ghost Festival banner, while his September remarks about Malaysia Airlines’ inflight magazine focused on the amount of Bahasa Malaysia it contained.
Chong said discussions over language, education and cultural practices could be conducted through reasoned debate without turning them into disputes over ethnic or religious identity.
“Even a funeral should not be turned into another battlefield for ethnic, religious or political confrontation,” he stressed.
Chong said public figures, particularly those with academic or religious influence, should exercise greater care when making statements on sensitive issues.
“He should understand that his words carry weight and can affect how people view one another,” he added.
“He should stop turning every sensitive issue into an opportunity to create antagonism and division. Malaysia’s diversity is a reality, and all Malaysians have a responsibility to protect social harmony.”
Chong said political differences should not prevent Malaysians from showing respect during moments of national mourning.
“People can disagree with each other while still respecting the deceased and their families,” he said. “That is part of living in a diverse society.”‒Oct 1, 2026
Main image: Bernama
