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You are not a politician, Penang exco reminds Pahang mufti
Published:  Jun 24, 2016 4:17 PM
Updated: 8:56 AM

A Penang state executive councillor has reminded Pahang mufti Abdul Rahman Osman that he is a respected religious leader and not a politician.

Rahman should be more circumspect in making statements, the exco in charge of Islamic religious affairs, domestic trade and consumer affairs in Penang, Abdul Malik Abul Kassim, said.

Referring to Rahman's statement that DAP is kafir harbi or an enemy of the Islamic faith that can be killed out of hand, Malik went on to express regret at what he sees as a politically-toned lambast from a state mufti.

"I think the statement confuses the Muslim community, for in my view, in order to issue such a proclamation as a mufti, he should have proper reasons.

"I see in this statement as if he is talking in political tones. A mufti shouldn't talk in political tones," Malik said at a press conference, a video clip of which was uploaded on the state organ Buletin Mutiara.

"As a politician it is different as one can say anything, right?" he asked rhetorically.

"But as a mufti, it is like a judge, they must maintain decorum and set boundaries. I hope in this matter it won't happen again," argued the Batu Maung assemblyperson.

Malik said that Rahman's statement seemed more politically tinged as it seemed to be aimed at former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad for supposedly working together with DAP.

"My question is, where and how can the DAP be said to be the enemy of Islam? I shall leave it at that," he said.

Pressing social concerns

Malik's views were shared by DAP Bukit Bendera MP Zairil Khir Johari.

Zairil (photo) said that the targeting of the DAP by the mufti for supposedly opposing the implementation of hudud clearly showed that it was a politically-motivated assertion.

He noted that the implementation of PAS' version of the Islamic penal code was opposed not only by the DAP but also by BN component parties MCA, MIC and Gerakan, as well as Sarawak's PBB including, its president and Sarawak Chief Minister Adenan Satem and federal minister Nancy Shukri.

He wondered why they were not mentioned as well in the mufti's proclamation.

Zairil said the DAP never questioned the position of hudud as part of Islamic law.

The party took issue with the implementation of the law in the context of Malaysia's multiracial society and possible conflicts with constitutional provisions.

He stressed that the DAP is not anti-Islam, as accused by the Pahang mufti.

Zairil also questioned why the mufti was silent about more pressing social concerns in his own state, such as the Kuantan bauxite mining issue and the ecological problems of Cameron Highlands.

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