Cancel the International Youth Rationalism Forum 2.0, MP tells Home Ministry

Jelutong MP RSN Rayer who is also Penang Hindu Endowment Board (PHEB) chairman has called upon the Home Ministry to cancel the International Youth Rationalism Forum 2.0 that is scheduled to be held at the Kuala Lumpur Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall on 21 December 2024.

“As a MP, I would urge Home Ministry to immediately cancel the program. If permit was issued, revoke it. It will cause unnecessary public unease. Home Ministry must act on this as it has elements of Dravidianism and atheism.

“We should ban it as it is against the Rukunegara principle – Believe in God,” Rayer told Harapan Daily.

He was commenting on a number of TikTok users who have raised concerned over the event that was anti-Hindu in nature.

“My concerns are, it has elements of Periyarism associated with EV Ramsamy who propagated atheism and Dravidianism in Tamil Nadu. I share their concern. We should not freely advocate it.

“As chairman of PHEB, I strongly object to the event. It should not be encouraged. It only basically further confuses the Malaysian society that advocates towards having faith in God.

“You must be of some faith,” he said in reference to the first Rukunegara principle.

For the record, Malaysia Hindu Sangam and Malaysia Hindu Dharma Mamandram have already lodged police reports against the event.

The International Youth Rationalization Forum 2.0 is the second such event being held in Malaysia. A similar event was held last year as well.

They also held a talk at a private college in Kalumpang last year.

For the record, Malaysia Hindu Sangam and Malaysia Hindu Dharma Mamandram have already lodged police reports against the event.

Those advocating Dravidianism in Malaysia had previously courted controversy for calling an end to Hindu prayers in Tamil schools. HD had reported about it here and here.

In a related development, Rayer confirmed that he would be raising this issue in the next Dewan Rakyat session.