COMMENT I find the latest denial made by the Perak deputy mufti, Zamri Hashim, unpalatable. In his latest statement, Zamri is now saying that he did not mention the Langkawi Eagle nor the National Monument.

As usual, behaving like an Umno politician, Zamri is hiding his hand behind his back after throwing the stone. Or else, who was it who sparked the controversy if not what Zamri had said? In the first place, why did he keep so quiet until now?

As a non-Muslim, I would find it awkward to comment on Zamri’s earlier statement if it was about some statues found in a mosque, but since it is about a tourist attraction to Langkawi, and an international landmark on the island, I would not want tourists visiting Langkawi to go home with the impression that Muslims are having double standard about demolition of the Langkawi eagle, but not destroying other figurines or statues in the museum.

Demolish the Lat sculptures first

Recently, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) spent RM800,000 for a series of life-sized Lat cartoon character sculptures on the heritage trail from Jalan Melaka to Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve in Kuala Lumpur.

I doubt if it is that expensive for those little sculptures to be created, and why does DBKL have no qualms about spending such a sum of money for things that they know will be easily vandalised?

Years ago, when Ruslin Hassan became mayor, a toilet in Bandar Menjalara was built costing about RM1 million. Before long, the toilet had been vandalised. Why does the present mayor Mohd Amin Nordin Abdul Aziz never learn the lesson?

Now, what does the mufti of Perak, Harussani Zakaria and Zamri have to say about the Lat sculptures, especially since Federal Territories Minister Tengku Adnan Mansor was posing beside a life-size cartoon sculpture?

Demolish or keep them? Perhaps, they should have another sculpture, one depicting a woman yielding to a man’s sexual advance on a camel’s back just to remind us of Harussani’s words.

Pardon me, but I think religious leaders should stay out of politics of the day and even if they were to make a statement, let them speak with some wisdom and be respected for their words. A good example is the Perlis mufti, Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin.

Wrong focus

More focus should be made to address the issues of corruption in this country. It is so widespread that if any hudud laws were to be passed, should also include punishment on people who are caught taking bribes.

This is one area that the muftis should step in, but they are not doing enough to stop the rot in the country.

How can Malaysia claim to be a Muslim nation, yet allowing the culture of corruption to pervade every strata of society? Is money obtained from corruption considered ‘halal’? Yet, how many muftis have spoken up against it?

What about the money that was distributed recently by Umno Sungai Besar leader, Jamal Mohd Yunos? Is there a fatwa against the distribution of such money?

If he wants to gain some respect, Harussani should ask Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to explain to the people what is the real story behind the ‘donation’ from the Arab prince, since it has been exposed after the civil suit filed by the United States Department of Justice revealed that the source of the money is from the state investment arm, 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

STEPHEN NG is an ordinary citizen with an avid interest in following political developments in the country since 2008.