Those who tarnish their country's image with the aim of causing turmoil are regarded to have sinned, says Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Jamil Khir Baharom.

"We should love our country and be prepared to defend it, as defending our own country is a 'jihad' (holy war) which carries a big divine reward.

"Hence, if the reward is big (for such a 'jihad'), it is also a big sin for one to tarnish one's own country's image and honour to cause upheaval in the country," he told reporters after handing over Raya contribution from the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Council for patients and certain hospitals in the Klang Valley, today.

Jamil Khir Baharom He was earlier asked to comment on media reports that Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar had allegedly said things that had tarnished the country's image and reputation in an interview with an Indonesian newspaper recently.

She was alleged to have made inaccurate statements about the New Economic Policy and had belittled the capability of the country's submarines.

Earlier, Jamil Khir handed over the Raya contribution from MAIWP amounting to RM1.4 million to the Kuala Lumpur Hospital, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Universiti Malaya Medical Centre and Putrajaya Hospital, and RM20,000 to Hospital Nukleus, Labuan.

He said the contribution was for the hospitals to buy medical equipment and also goes to each hospital's welfare fund to help poor patients celebrate Aidilfitri.

This year, MAIWP spends RM1.32 million to help 519 patients who are poor and suffering fron chronic diseases.

- Bernama