Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's remark that a vote for the DAP would see Islam being oppressed is a reflection of Umno's fear that more Malays are openly supporting the party, said its vice-chairperson Ariffin Omar.

Ariffin stressed that he categorically rejected Najib's statement that a vote for the DAP will see Islam being oppressed, as it is a "slanderous remark that has no basis".

NONE "It is a reflection of the fear of Umno that more and more Malays are openly supporting the DAP and deserting Umno," Ariffin said in a statement today.

Ariffin ( left ) noted that ever since Penang came under the control of Pakatan Rakyat - the state government headed by the DAP - funding for Islamic affairs in the state has increased tremendously.

"Therefore, it is very clear that the increasing support of Muslims for the DAP has caused Umno to panic," claimed the DAP appointed senator in Penang.

"Muslims support the DAP because they are aware that the party respects the position of Islam in the Malaysian constitution, and that the party accepts Islam as the religion of the federation," he added.

"It is now accepted that the DAP upholds the values of Islam seriously, as can be seen in its commitment to oppose corruption and uphold democracy, accountability and transparency in governance."

Ariffin was responding to report on English-language daily The Star on Feb 24 headlined, ‘Najib: Vote Barisan for a far better future'.

It quoted Najib as saying, "A vote for PKR will destroy the aqidah, while a vote for PAS will only result in disunity among Muslims... as for DAP, a vote for them will see Islam being oppressed."

Two days later, Ariffin and DAP national assistant publicity secretary Zairil Khir Johari lodged a police report against Najib for allegedly inciting religious sentiments among the Muslims, and hatred of the community towards the DAP.

Malays tricked by DAP?

In another development, the Penang Malay Congress has questioned the remark by former DAP vice-chief Tunku Abdul Aziz Tunku Ibrahim that DAP is trying to trick ( memperbodohkan ) the Malays, especially those in Penang.

NONE Tunku Abdul Aziz ( left ) had reportedly said this in Utusan Malaysia on Wednesday, in relation to the usage of ‘Allah' in Malay-language Bibles by the non-Muslims in Sabah and Sarawak.

"Tunku Aziz's statement is one-sided. He failed to classify the basic issue of why the word ‘Allah' is still being used by non-Muslims there. It has been used for about 50 years, and why is it still being used now?" asked PMC president Rahmad Isahak.

"Isn't it because of political support? Which is (the reason) why we think Tunku Aziz is biased and a hypocrite."

Rahmad strongly rejected Tunku Abdul Aziz's suggestion that the DAP has tricked the Malays, saying that "we have pride and cannot be treated in such an arbitrary manner by any political party".

"DAP leaders too, have pride and would certainly not act in such a stupid manner as suggested by Tunku Aziz," he said.

"If the DAP does this, it is akin to them digging their own graves".

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