Zainuddin, you just zip up !

KUCHING, Nov 2, 2014: Former Information Minister Zainuddin Maidin has been slammed by Sarawakians for  his "insulting  criticisms" against Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president James Masing.

Zainuddin, former Utusan Malaysia editor-in-chief, had accused Masing of trying to confuse the Christian community in Sabah and Sarawak by likening the Customs Department’s seizure of Christian materials containing the word Allah on October 25 to growing religious extremism in the country.

Masing: Zainuddin's view a reflection of arrogance and intelorance.

"Masing's accusation creates a perception as if the enforcement officers in the peninsula want to expand the 'Allah' ban to include Sabah and Sarawak," he had said in his blog.

Masing, who is Sarawak Land Development Minister, had said on Friday that the latest seizure of Christian materials containing the word “Allah” at klia2 in Sepang portends growing religious extremism in the country.

“Moderation and religious tolerance and respect have been cast at the wayside,” he had said.

Commenting on Zainuddin's comments, Masing said:"Zainuddin represents a section of the Malays who refuses to accept constructive criticisms for the betterment of an organisation.

"To a certain extent,  it is a reflection of arrogance and intolerance of other people's beliefs.

"In a multi-racial society, like Malaysia, exclusivity as conveyed by Zainuddin is dangerous," Masing said.

Meanwhile, netizens expressed their outrage at Zainuddin (picture) for his insulting criticism against Masing.

Rozanna Ong said: "We have moved into a whole new political era where it is time the BN politicians stop playing second fiddle to their BN bosses, and start playing their part to voice out the people's concerns.  You live in a world without much social media.

"In today's political scene, information from a wide variety of sources are made readily accessible," she said adding:" Masing is merely smart enough to realise that. You're not. So zip up!"

James Joshua said:" I am only James without the Masing. But I am fully behind Tan Sri Masing on this."

Malcolm Jitam added:"You (Zainuddin) can turn any statement and stand anyway you want.. but we're behind our very own Sarawakian James Masing."

Another netizen Douglas Alau Tayan told Zainuddin that his time has "expired."

" You have overstayed too long, we do not need your dumb mentality.

"We stand solidly behind TS Dr James Masing! He's the only one Dayak leader who has the guts and brain to voice our concerns! Keep it up TS Dr James!" Alau said.