The uproar over the Pahang mufti's proclamation of DAP and others who are against hudud as 'kafir harbi' is a cheap political trick to distract the nation, claims a PKR leader.

"It is clear that Umno is so desperate, and bankrupt, in attracting the support of all Malaysians that it has to play up such views as cheap political propaganda tool," PKR senator Muhammad Nur Manuty said.

"We can clearly see, the way Umno has worked this issue using the mufti's views is outdated and confuses both the Muslim umat (community) and the rakyat on the whole.

"Umno purposely takes such opportunities as a means to distract the people from discussing the real issues, such as the burdens they suffer, for example the 1MDB issue and the goods and services tax (GST), the RM2.6 billion (scandal), rising costs of living and so on.

"Truly, if this continues, the country we love will plunge into a major crisis," Muhammad Nur said in a statement today.

Pahang mufti Abdul Rahman Osman last week declared DAP 'kafir harbi', a term for non-Muslims who wage war against Islam, and who are thus permissible to be slain.

Simplistic, baseless statement

PKR central committee member Latheefa Koya called the statement dangerous and irresponsible, and slammed the prime minister for his silence on the mufti's actions as it opened the door to violence against those labelled as such.

Yesterday, DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang speculated that no cabinet minister would act over the mufti's claims, which critics have pointed out implicates not only DAP but BN non-Muslim parties that oppose hudud as well.

Gerakan president Mah Siew Keong yesterday, when pressed for a response, said he "disagreed" with the mufti's views, while MCA president Liow Tiong Lai refused to respond when asked twice, saying he would "respond later".

Manuty said the mufti’s statement was made in a “simplistic” manner, without clear arguments or solid facts to back up the claim.

“Indeed, such a statement can create all sorts of negative implications to the nation’s security, threaten the unity of Muslims, destroy racial harmony, invite violence and tarnish the image of Islam as a universal religion that is merciful to all mankind,” he said.