Perak mufti Harussani Zakaria remains defiant despite coming under severe criticism over his labelling of anti-price hike protesters as "bughah" whose blood, he argued, could be shed.

"I spoke the truth, not to seek publicity and I will not budge from my position," he said in a Berita Harian report today.

According to the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia, the term "bughah" refers to people who rebel against a just government.

"Even though I knew I would be condemned, it is my responsibility to remind Muslims, especially those who have been incited by kafirs (infidels).

"The kafirs did not attend the illegal gathering. Until when do Muslims want to be fooled?" Harussani ( left ) was quoted as saying.

He was referring to the New Year's eve rally where more than 10,000 people - many of whom are Malays - gathered at Dataran Merdeka to protest the rise in cost of living due to price hikes initiated by the government.

Furthermore, Harussani argued that the term "bughah" is not only confined to those to oppose a just government, but also a government that is legitimately elected.

Harussani accused the protesters of violently hurling bottles during the protest and also queried their wearing of Guy Fawkes mask.

The controversial Perak mufti insisted the protesters were traitors.

Guy Fawkes was a 1500s figure involved in a failed attempt to bomb the English Parliament but his image was popularised by the film ‘V for Vendetta’ and has become a symbol of resistance against tyranny.

Harussani on Thursday reportedly said: "All the protesters should be arrested for being traitors to the government and accordingly in Islam, bloodshed is permitted on the ‘bughah’ (protesters)".