Mais: Selangor sultan regrets statement by Nurul Izzah

The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has expressed regret and suprise at the statement made by Parti Keadilan Rakyat vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar last Saturday that Muslim Malays are free to choose their religion under the religious freedom factor.

The chairperson of the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais) Mohamad Adzib Mohd Isa said His Highness totally rejected any view that the Malay Muslims were free to choose other religions and renounce Islam.

“As the advisor to the sultan of Selangor, Mais will continue to be firm in assisting him to be cautious, sensitive and firm on anyone who directly or indirectly challenges the sanctity of Islam whether in terms of ideology or practice, particularly in Selangor,” he said in a statement in Shah Alam today.

He said this when commenting on the report by an opposition news portal that  Nurul Izzah, at the forum ‘Islamic State: Which Version; Who Is Responsible’, in Subang Jaya last Saturday, had said that every citizen in this country should not be forced to practice any particular religion.

However yesterday, after being criticised by various quarters, Nurul Izzah (right) had issued a statement in her Facebook denying that she supported apostasy.

Mohamad Adzib said the council feared that such a statement could confuse and influence Muslim Malays in the state of Selangor as it was issued by a senior leader of a component party of the opposition pact which administered the state.

He pointed out that based on Islamic teachings, religious freedom was only applicable to non-Muslims who were free to embrace Islam without any coercion.

“However, after embracing Islam, they cannot freely choose other religions and denounce Islam. The same goes for the Malay Muslims who cannot choose other religions freely and denounce Islam because they must abide by all Islamic teachings as professed by Prophet Muhammad Pbuh,” he said.

Mohamad Adzib said Islam was also a condition that determined the status of a Malay as provided for by Article 160(2) of the federal constitution.

Thus, he said, the liberalism or pluralism thinking was very dangerous because this would erode the rights and privileges of the Malays as provided for in the constitution and existing law.

“His Highness the Sultan of Selangor also said that matters pertaining to Islam should not be turned into a polemic and made into political capital for the benefit of certain parties because this could confuse and deviate the thinking of Muslims on Islam.

“Mais stands firm that any agenda or action that is politically oriented should not forsake the position, thinking and implementation of Islam in Selangor, in particular, and Malaysia in general. Nevertheless, Mais has directed the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais) to carry out an investigation for appropriate action,” he said.

Rosnah: Retract statement

Meanwhile, Puteri Umno head Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin advised Nurul Izzah to retract her statement on the issue and to repent and seek Allah’s forgiveness for having made the statement.

Rosnah (left) said Nurul Izzah’s statement carried very significant implication especially to the younger generation as it paved the way for other movements to deviate the faith of Muslims.

“Puteri Umno wants to see the top leadership of PAS, especially the PAS Women’s wing, to state their stand on Nurul Izzah’s statement,” she said in a statement.

In Kuala Terengganu , the general secretary of Gagasan Pendidikan Melayu Malaysia (Gagasan), Syed Anuar Syed Mohamad, urged the National Fatwa Council to respond immediately to Nurul Izzah’s statement which could confuse the Muslims.

He said the PKR top leadership must issue a statement and state its stand on the issue and whether the statement issued by Nurul Izzah was personal or represented the party’s stand.

- Bernama

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