Under fire for her parliamentary reply of “no action” against Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali for his threat to burn the Bible, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nancy Shukri  says she will never support any religious or racist statement, or action, against non-Muslims.

Nancy was quoted in the East Malaysian daily Borneo Post today, through her political secretary Mohammed Kamaluddin Effendie, as saying that she never dreamt that she would one day be labelled as anti-Christian.

Drawing on her roots in Sarawak, Nancy said race and religion have had never been an issue for her, as she grew up in a multi-racial family, with relatives of different races and religions,.

“Growing up in Sarawak, where there is no issue with race and religion, I never dreamt that one day I would be branded as someone who is anti-Christian or a supporter of those calling for Bible burning.

“If you ask the people in my constituency, no one will believe that as well. I believe all Sarawakians are still with me because they know me and have seen how I served my people over the years,” she is quoted as saying by the Borneo Post .

“The church leaders in my area can be my witness. The Buddhist believers in my constituency know who I am. For years, I have been giving out grants to them and eat and drink with them. I think they'll be equally shocked if they were to know that I have been labelled ‘racist’ or anti-Christian’.”

Nancy, who is the de-facto law minister, came under intense attack over her response in Parliament that Ibrahim ( left ) would not be charged for his threat to burn copies of the Bible with the term “Allah” as it was in line with the Federal Constitution, and that the Perkasa president was defending Islam.

Nancy: This is lowest ebb of my life

Nancy further called the Sarawak people to check her track record, and not to be taken in by the attacks hurled at her.

“I have been badly under attack. Honestly, I am at the lowest ebb of my life. However, as long as Sarawakians understand who I am and what is going on, I will remain strong and continue to serve them without fear or favour,” she added.

Nancy was also quoted in the Borneo Post as saying that neither the police nor the attorney-general could give any reply in Parliament and she, as the de-facto law minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, had to do it on their behalf.

“Whatever were the findings of the police or the decision of the AG, I read it out in Parliament because they could not do it there.

“It must be made known that it was the AG’s decision not to charge Ibrahim under the Sedition Act, and the decision made was based on the police investigation.

“As a minister or one of the leaders of the nation, I have to support the rule of the law, but it does not mean I agree with Ibrahim’s extreme views,” the Batang Sadong MP said.

Her response in the Borneo Post was also taken up by DAP parliamentary leader and Gelang Patah MP Lim Kit Siang, who said in light of Nancy's response the prime minister and his cabinet are ultimately answerable for the actions of the police and the AG.

Lim also asked the cabinet to state whether it supports the “defending Islam” excuse given for Ibrahim's threat. The AG Chambers is expected to present its report to the cabinet today.

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