The PAS strongman and Chief Minister of Kedah, Sanusi, has done it again.

In a single statement meant perhaps to make fun of the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, Sanusi let loose his lidah celupar or filthy tongue in describing Tiong as “Eh muka dia kalau saya ajuk, jadi macam tokong hat kepala botak tu, Hat perut buncit tu”.

In a single mouthful or arrogant and distasteful words, Sanusi has, in my opinion, crossed the line of our Rukunegara in desecrating a religion of our people and has dishonoured a race and a person of that same race, the Chinese.

Both the Kepercayaan Kepada Tuhan and the Kesopanan dan Kesusilaan principles have been totally disregarded by this poor choice of a wakil rakyat.

If there ever is a person that should be put in prison and the keys left in a longkang, this is the man.

In retorting this disgusting statement, Tiong had only thrown a biadab statement to Sanusi as a person, but not to his race nor his religion, by saying that he, Sanusi, must have water in his brain.

For MPs to be calling names of each other, both of them should be ashamed and reprimanded by the YDP Agong and be reminded of their professionalism and mutual respect for one another as human beings.

But Sanusi upped the ante in desecrating a religion many understood perhaps in reference to the Buddha statue.

If Sanusi were to say such thing as Tiong’s “perut buncit macam ikan kembong”, that might be considered an unprofessional and immoral conduct unbecoming not only as a Malaysian, but as a Malay, a Muslim and an elected official of a very high office.

The reference to the word “tokong” in Malay mostly denotes any Chinese or Indian shrine in the manner of resembling an animate object.

As an “orang utara” myself, being born in Kepala Batas and schooled at St. Marks Butterworth, I am extremely clear on Sanusi’s intentions and intended targets.

The tokong is usually referred to the statue deities of the Chinese people, and if it were Hindu shrines, northerners would refer to them as “patung Hindu”.

Furthermore, the words “buncit” and “botak” can be construed as a rude and crass description of a person. If one were kinder, one would have said “perut dia besar” and “kepalanya tak berambut”. And if you don’t like someone, you would just say “kepala botak” and “perut buncit”.

It is extremely clear to me, as an academic, a Malay, a Malaysian and a northerner, that Sanusi was being extremely rude to a person who has a high office.

He has also made it clear of his disregard for other people’s religion in destroying a Hindu shrine and now a rude reference to a religious deity.

Because the tokong is worshiped by mainly one particular group of Malaysians, Sanusi is guilty of dishonouring that race, the Chinese.

The Malays may like what he says and he is certainly popular for it. But as a Malay, I am ashamed that he has dishonoured my race who is known for “Kesopanan dan Kesantunan”.

Muslims also seem to wrongfully adore him, and that is why PAS has won so many seats.

But as a Muslim, I must tell Malaysians that this perangai of Sanusi and all those Muslims who adore him, has no place at all in the religion of Islam as practised by the Prophet Muhammad.

Sanusi’s Islam can be said to be a reflection of many religious preachers whom I have heard throughout my life as desecrators of other faiths.

It seems the teaching of Islam by Malay teachers encourages making fun of and desecrating other fellow citizens’ faiths and beliefs.

I hope JAKIM and all the religious departments clarify this issue of desecrating a tokong by words or deed as not being part of Islam.

Only the Friday sermon can deal a blow to this disgusting creature unfit to be a Malaysian or even a Muslim, much less a Malay. I

f I had any power, I would rescind Sanusi’s citizenship at post haste and send him packing to whatever country that might want to accept him.

Sanusi’s actions and words, if not met with swift reprisals or a sorrowful apology to the religion that he desecrated, to the race that he dishonoured and to the man he humiliated, will encourage more disrespect between races, and religions and that would spell the end of our nation called Malaysia.

The line of decency, morality and honour must be drawn right here, no further.

(Prof Dr. Mohd Tajuddin Mohd Rasdi is Professor of Architecture at a local university and his writing reflects his own personal opinion entirely.)