Does Hishammuddin believe racism is acceptable if not as bad as IS?

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Pakatan Rakyat Leaders Question Hishammuddin's Stance on Racism Following IS Comparison

Pakatan Rakyat leaders have demanded clarification from Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein regarding his comparison of a colleague's alleged racist remarks to the atrocities committed by the Islamic State (IS). The opposition coalition argues that such a comparison is illogical and could be interpreted as condoning racism, as it equates acts of prejudice with extreme violence and terrorism. They contend that Hishammuddin's defence of Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob's comments, by stating they were "nowhere as bad as the atrocities committed by IS militants," inadvertently downplays the severity of racism.
Comparing Dissimilar Issues

Dr Dzulkelfy Ahmad, PAS Research Centre executive director, stated that Hishammuddin's reference to IS was "bizarre and unwarranted," highlighting the fundamental difference between the two issues. He explained that IS represents violence and killing, while Ismail Sabri's remarks pertained to civility and nation-building. This distinction, according to Dr Dzulkelfy, makes any attempt to use IS as a benchmark for measuring wrongdoing illogical.
Racism vs. Terrorism

DAP's Serdang MP Ong Kian Ming labelled the comparison "ridiculous," emphasizing that Ismail Sabri has been accused of racism, not terrorism. He questioned whether Hishammuddin's statement implied that Cabinet ministers are permitted to make racist remarks as long as they are not as extreme as the actions of IS. This line of reasoning, according to Ong, suggests a dangerous tolerance for prejudice within the government.
Justifying Prejudice with Extreme Violence

PKR's Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar asserted that the horrific murders committed by IS should not be used as a justification for alleged racial prejudice by a minister. Hishammuddin had previously stated that Ismail Sabri's remark against Chinese traders was not as severe as IS's violent acts, such as the burning of a Jordanian pilot. This statement, coupled with Hishammuddin's claim that the incident had been "blown out of proportion," has fuelled concerns among opposition leaders.
Context of Ismail Sabri's Remarks

The controversy originated from a Facebook post by Ismail Sabri, urging Malay consumers to boycott allegedly profiteering Chinese businesses. He specifically named Old Town White Coffee as an "anti-Islamic" business linked to Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham and claimed high prices were a form of sabotage against the government. Although Ismail Sabri later deleted the post, and Putrajaya issued a clarification stating he was referring to all unscrupulous traders, the initial comparison to IS by Hishammuddin has drawn significant criticism.

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Does Hishammuddin believe racism is acceptable if not as bad as IS?

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