PAS central committee member Mujahid Yusof Rawa today distanced the party from the controversial remarks of Islamic preacher Shahul Hamid, which are deemed insulting to Hindus.

“His speech was made many years ago, about four years, in his series of lectures and a part taken. We don’t know the motive for spreading Shahul's ( left ) remarks,” said Mujahid, who is Penang PAS deputy commissioner.

“I am also responsible because Shahul is a Penang PAS member, but he does not represent  the views of the party. He spoke based on his knowledge as a lecturer,” Mujahid said.

“I view this seriously, especially those who try to take the opportunity from this situation as religious issues are very sensitive and can bring about racial and religious tension,” he added.

Mujahid urged those trying to gain political mileage from the situation to stop trying to incite racial tension.

Respect others, preachers told

However, Mujahid, who is also head of the PAS national unity bureau, said all quarters are responsible for racial harmony, not just one community.

He advised all preachers to be cautious when giving their lectures, saying it was against Islam to ridicule another religion or community.

“We will be giving a report to the PAS central committee members when we meet on Aug 10,” Mujahid ( left ) said, adding he will not be recommending disciplinary action yet.

He said it was beyond his capacity to initiate disciplinary action as this fell under purview of the state committee.

“Since Shahul apologised, I consider the case closed but may be this is not the case for others,” he added.

Yesterday, hundreds of people, led by MIC and several NGOs, rallied against Shahul in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur, demanding action against him for insulting Hinduism in a speech at a surau in Shah Alam in February this year.

They were incensed by a video clip of Shahul’s speech which has gone viral, in which he is heard telling Muslims not to buy curry powder products from what he deemed as  “Hindu” companies, such as Alagappa’s and Baba’s.

Shahul has since apologised for his remark which he posted in a short clip on his Facebook.

The remarks, Shahul said, were made in a closed-door event and he did not expect it to be uploaded in the video.

More than 400 police reports are said to have been lodged against Shahul Hamid for his controversial speech.