Penang PAS deputy commissioner Mujahid Yusuf Rawa has blasted Umno Youth for issuing inaccurate statements regarding the controversial ‘sale' of mosque land in Bayan Mutiara to a private developer.

penang pas penanti by-election 030509 mujahid yusuf rawa Mujahid ( right ), who described himself as a ‘pure' son of Penang, accused state Umno Youth Shaik Hussein Mydin of "twisting" the issue.

He criticised Umno-owned Malay language dailies like Utusan Malaysia and Berita Harian for publishing inaccurate information regarding the issue from someone who saw himself as "a hero for the Malays" in Penang.

"What is worse is that who are accused do not get justice by getting their clarifications published," the Parit Buntar MP said in a statement.

The issue has irked Penang Umno who on Mar 31 gave Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng two weeks to clarify his stand, while Malay rights pressure group Perkasa organised a small rally in Komtar last Friday and issued a similar one-week ultimatum.

Lim had earlier clarified that the Bayan Mutiara land was yet to be subdivided and the entire plot was sold to Ivory Properties for RM1.02 billion.

He reminded his detractors that there are standard requirements for schools and religious places of worship including surau or mosques that are compulsory by local government and must be included in any development project.

Ivory Properties had issued a statement saying they will comply with all requirements by the Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) and will reserve plots of land for mosque, surau and other places of religious worship should the need arise.

Narrow racial and religious perspectives

Meanwhile, Mujahid described the issue had been "sensationalised according to narrow racial and religious" perspectives although it was more a question of law and administration.

Mujahid then explained that the development plan for phase I of Bayan Mutiara originally approved by MPPP in 2006, was based on the one submitted by a previous developer who failed to develop it.

It is well known that when the 41.6ha land was sold to Ivory Properties Group via an open tender, a new plan had to be submitted to MPPP as the original version has expired, he added.

"The fact is when the land reserved for the mosque was approved in 2006, why didn't the BN or Umno state government take the initiative to see to its subdivision so that it could be transferred to the Penang Islamic Affairs Council (MAIPP)?" he queried.

"They (BN and Umno) had a year to do make sure that MAIPP obtained ownership of the land before it was taken over by a new developer. Suddenly, the current state government is blamed for the matter.

"Since the land had not been gazetted yet to MAIPP, the question of selling mosque land does not arise, as alleged by Umno," he stressed.

PAS backs Guan Eng's leadership

Mujahid said the developer must reserve a plot of land for a mosque as a prerequisite for the approval of a project which has more than 1,500 households.

NONE He added that the new developer would be subjected to the same conditions when the new layout plan is submitted.

Mujahid urged Shaik Hussein ( left ) not to play with the mosque issue to incite the Malays to hate the state government, by accusing it of violating the rights of Muslims.

He firmly reiterated the obligation of PAS to defend the rights of Malays and Muslims as the party would for all races.

He also expressed PAS strong support for Lim's leadership to ensure political fairness for all Penangites.

"Please look for another political model like offering a more attractive manifesto to the people to garner their support, but don't ever play with the fire of hatred which may eventually get yourself burnt," was his message to Shaik Hussein.