Former Bar Council president Ambiga Sreenevasan has reiterated her opposition to the Sedition Act but reminded Abdullah Zaik Abdul Rahman that the two of them tread different paths.

“I will not walk with him because our paths are fundamentally different.

“He believes in fighting for one race and one religion against enemies who are not there. I believe in fighting for all Malaysians who are marginalised and downtrodden,” she said.

Ambiga also told Malaysiakini that the Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) president sees nothing wrong in attacking fellow citizens on the basis of race and religion.

On the contrary, she believes in cherishing fellow Malaysians and embracing them in all their diversity.

“He reads our federal constitution and sees how we can be divided. I read our federal constitution and see our shared values and how we are united.

“He thinks it is fine to call fellow citizens ‘trespassers’ and other such ‘choice’ words, I call them my brothers and sisters,” she added.

Yesterday, Abdullah invited Ambiga and Lawyers for Liberty to walk with him in opposing the sedition charge against him.

The Isma president even invited them to take to the streets to compel the authorities to retract the charge against him.

“I am inviting them and I want to see if they are two-faced on this issue,” he had said.

Meanwhile, Ambiga also pointed out that Abdullah has no qualms in re-writing the history of this nation and questioning the contributions of fellow citizens.

“I believe in celebrating our rich and diverse history and being proud of it. I value every bit of the blood, sweat and tears of all those who have made this nation great,” she added.

Ambiga also said that while Abdullah claimed to fight for all Malays and Muslims, her Malay and Muslim friends wished that he would use religion to unite rather than divide.

“His vision is to see one community as being above all others; my vision is to see all communities work together to continue to build Malaysia.

“He sees the worst in some of his fellow human beings, I see the best in all because we are all creations of the Almighty,” she added.

‘Walk with me instead’

Turning the tables on Abdullah, Ambiga said the Isma president could join her along the path she treads instead.

“I will not walk with him because his path will never meet my path. He and I do not share the same vision or destination.

“He speaks of racial and religious superiority, I believe in a multiracial community and multi-religious harmony. So I will not walk with him for now,” she added.

However, Ambiga said if Abdullah chooses to celebrate this nation’s wealth of diversity, then he could walk with her.

“Should he ever choose to work with us, laugh with us, cry with us and to help all, he is welcome to walk with me and the millions of Malaysians who want to see peace, harmony and happiness reign in this beloved nation of ours,” she added.

As for the charge against him, Ambiga said that she objected to the Sedition Act being invoked against anyone, including Abdullah.

“The Act is an oppressive piece of legislation that has no place in a true democracy. In other words I oppose it on principle.

“I hope he too will speak against the Act being used against all the others who face this persecution, although I do not recall him ever having spoken up against its use,” she added.