Perak mufti Harussani Zakaria has labeled those who protested on New Year's eve at Dataran Merdeka as traitors to the country.

Labelling the participants “bughah” (term used to describe Muslims who fight against, or who are traitors to the country's leaders), Harussani was reported in Berita Harian as saying that it was haram (forbidden) to have participated in the rally.