A PKR assemblyperson has challenged PAS to disown its information chief Nasrudin Hassan following the latter's "malicious" remarks targeting the appointments of non-Muslims to key legal positions in the country.

Bukit Tengah assemblyperson Gooi Hsiao Leung (above) said there should be no place for PAS leaders such as Nasrudin who practised "extremist politics of race and religion" in the country's political landscape.

He said the Islamist party risked being collectively held responsible and condemned for attempting to incite racial and religious disharmony should it fail to distance itself from Nasrudin and his views.

Gooi was referring to the statement made by Nasrudin yesterday, in which the latter trained his guns on Justice Richard Malanjum’s appointment as Chief Justice, Liew Vui Keong's as de facto law minister and Tommy Thomas's as attorney-general.

The PAS leader has stated that granting the three non-Muslims control over their respective positions within the legal system and judiciary, caused restlessness (keresahan) among Muslims. 

He had also stated that fate of Islam was worse under the new Pakatan Harapan government, when compared to BN's rule, saying: "Is this a situation where Muslims escape the mouth of the tiger only to be attacked by a crocodile?" 

Gooi told Malaysiakini said Nasrudin (picture, below) had "clear intent to sow racial and religious hatred and discord" in the country by making such statements. 

"This is a blatant and gross abuse of freedom of expression and his malicious remark must be condemned in the strongest terms. 

"There is no basis whatsoever to insinuate that the highly esteemed and respected figures appointed will in any way prejudice or act disfavourably against Muslims in discharging their solemn duties," Gooi told Malaysiakini.  

'Not their jobs to represent only one religion'

He pointed out that the role of our chief justice, attorney-general and law minister, regardless of their race or religion, are to uphold the rule of law, the federal constitution and to represent all Malaysians. 

He added: "It is not their job to represent only one race or religion over others. 

"There is no room for religious bigotry and racist zealots in our new Malaysia". 

Gooi said any party that cannot change with the times and continues to play up narrow racial and religious sentiments must be rejected. 

Therefore, he challenged PAS to immediately disown Nasrudin’s extremist views contained in his statement. 

"If PAS fails to distance itself from Nasrudin, the party leadership will be collectively held responsible and condemned for his conduct in inciting racial and religious hatred in the country." 

Nasrudin's remark also invited rebuke from former Federal Court judge Gopal Sri Ram yesterday, who said such views belonged to the "Middle Ages".

Pointing out that Justice Malanjum was also a bumiputera, the former top judge said it was impossible to satisfy those "drunk with religion".