Government inaction over the alleged prayer by an opposition party calling for the doom of Umno for their "misguided Islam" is actually a form of dakwah (teaching), insist a federal deputy minister.

NONE "This is the government's dakwah . We are giving them room to repent and reflect," Deputy Minister in The Prime Minister's Department Mashitah Ibrahim ( left ) told the Dewan Rakyat during Question Time today.

Answering a supplementary question from Tajuddin Abdul rahman (BN-Pasir Salak), she maintained that the government considers Islam as not only a faith, but a way of life and hoped that the opposition party will soon return to the true path.

While Tajuddin himself does not mention it in his question nor Mashitah in her answer, both are referring to the well-known controversy which took place after the PAS muktamar two weeks ago when a congregation made up of senior party leaders prayed for Allah to bring retribution to Umno, who they claim practice a misguided form of Islam.

BN-friendly media organisations and BN politicians have been heavily criticising PAS over the prayer, on grounds that Muslims are forbidden from praying for ill to befall a fellow Muslim.

Tajuddin, in his supplementary question, asked if the government "was afraid" to take action on or advise individuals and political parties whose practice of Islam goes against Islamic teachings.

Poser over Yadim's head

Among others, Tajuddin referred to statements made by PAS spiritual advisor Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat who had made prayers and statements for Umno's doom and criticised Umno's interpretation of Islam.

Another example raised by Tajuddin was Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar's " no compulsion in religion " remark.

Mashitah's initial response was addressed to Taib Azamudden Bin Md Taib (PAS-Baling), who asked for a definition of the role of Islamic NGOs in propagating Islam and Islamic knowledge.

To this, Mashitah said that it is the standard practice of the government to include Muslim NGOs in dakwah activities as they are composed of individuals who are able and willing to do the job.

Taib Azamudden responded by seeking a response to allegations that the current chief of Malaysian Islamic dakwah foundation (Yadim) was a political appointee and that under his leadership, the foundation was more concerned with partisan activities instead of propagating the faith.

Mashitah denied the claim.

"Maybe it is only your supposition that his is a political appointment, as he was appointed via provisions in Yadim's constitution," she told the PAS parliamentarian.