I refer to the incident that an MP from a ‘religion-based’ party had caused the ire of many Malaysians on his caricature of a monkey presiding over a quarrel between a goat and a sheep.

Although no direct explanation was given, many have interpreted this caricature to perhaps be related to the Prime Minister of Malaysia (aka Monkey) mediating between the war on the borders of Thailand (aka Sheep or Goat) and Cambodia (aka Goat or Sheep).

In this article, I will argue in earnest, without due prejudice, that such an MP deserves nothing less than a six-month suspension from attending any parliamentary seating.

So far, there has been no one, him or her, being a member of the august House of Parliament that has been an embarrassment to our citizens of Malaysia as well as our international relations than this particular MP and his behavior.

Now, before commencing my arguments, let us look at the facts of the case first.

We know for definite that the caricature was uploaded on the MP’s media account.

Although he was silent on all the criticism leveled at this action, he then proceeded to delete the caricature from his account.

Furthermore, when asked, he maintained silence and refused any apology on the matter.

In the court of law, I presume it would be difficult to prove that he was the actual one putting up the caricature as anyone of his aides could have done so and even more difficult to prove that he had intended to smear both the PMX and the two countries at war.

But here we are looking at the court of Islamic conscience, the court of professional conduct and the court of parliamentary morality.

With respect to the court of Islamic conscience, the MP may or may not be aware that in Islam the Prophet Muhammad had reminded his followers to always give due respect to leaders.

The Prophet never asked for Muslims to be blind followers like some political party members we can mention, but that they give due respect to the leader and figures of authority, which in this case includes not only the Prime Minister of Malaysia but also the leaders of two other sovereign nations.

There is no place for the MP in our future elections to Parliament or State Assembly, and there is also no place for a Muslim of such arrogance and impudence in our humanity.

The MP, who is supposed to be a scholar in his own Islamic religion, is part of a party that also touts that they are the best Muslims in Malaysia due to their “perjuangan” or cause.

The MP had just violated the values of spirituality as well as social etiquette in relation to Muslims and their leaders as well as Muslims with guests who are leaders of their own neighboring countries.

Both the respect to authority and the respect to guests are paramount values in Islam.

With respect to professional conduct, we must expect more of our leaders deemed to be the people’s representative in showing us the right conduct to treat our leaders, even if we disagree with them.

Flogging effigies and spouting fiery prayers against another Muslim leader who has shown no signs of zalim or cruelty are clear acts of unprofessional conduct.

Such an MP does not deserve to be respected by Malaysians at all.

With respect to the art of international relations, the MP has failed to acknowledge the respect that we should confer on our neighboring countries.

No man is an island and we do not survive isolated from others by virtue of politics, environment and economics.

When the MP failed to understand that even as a Muslim we must respect non-Muslim neighbors but some Muslims are arrogant to think that Muslims do not have to show such courtesy.

This is in direct contradiction not only to the art of international relations but also what the Prophet had shown to leaders and elders of other faiths.

Finally, I wish to say that this MP has been following what his own leadership of the party that looks at all humanity as “animals” and not only that some Muslims fall also under this category of insult.

There is no place for the MP in our future elections to Parliament or State Assembly, and there is also no place for a Muslim of such arrogance and impudence in our humanity.