COMMENT | Does the mufti of Perlis, Asri Zainul Abidin (above), have any non-Malay friends? As a man of the cloth, his position holds power and responsibility, but he lacks the open-mindedness and tolerance of a man living in a multi-racial, multi-religious, secular country.

If his report card had been compared alongside the performance report of the Pakatan Harapan ministers, Asri would have scored a miserable "F".

Asri should be more competent and inclusive, but over the past fortnight, his divisive messages and racial rhetoric have portrayed him as a bitter person, seething with internal rage and jealousy. He is continuing the Umno-Baru policy of division and hate.

In 2020, wounds have to be healed and bridges among the various communities rebuilt. Those responsible for promoting Asri to his post should reconsider his appointment...