DAP leaders lodge police report over 'kafir harbi' remark

NENGGIRI BY-ELECTION | Three DAP central executive committee members have lodged a police report against two individuals who labelled the party “kafir harbi”, which meant non-Muslims who opposed Islam.

The trio - Sheikh Umar Bagharib Ali, Syahredzan Johan, and Young Syefura Othman - lodged the report at the Dang Wangi district police station in Kuala Lumpur today.

Speaking to reporters, Syefura said the report was lodged based on a video of an Aug 9 speech delivered on the Nenggiri campaign trail.

“This (kafir harbi) is a blatant statement that clearly endangers our safety and damages our reputation as Muslim DAP leaders,“ said the Bentong MP.

Kafir harbi refers to non-believers who either oppress or are waging war against Muslims, who are then permissible for Muslims to kill in retaliation.

Other than the first video, Syefura cited another video of Rembia assemblyperson Muhammad Jailaini Khamis, who also made the same claim against DAP while on PN’s campaign trail.

“Because of such statements, maybe if I am out on my own somewhere, someone can decide to act against me.

“So, that is dangerous. Even though it was made in a political ceramah, they still have to be responsible,” she said.

Sowing seeds of hatred

Elaborating on the definition of kafir harbi, Sheikh Umar said it historically referred to a non-Muslim government opposing or waging war against Muslims living in the same or another area.

“They (non-Muslims) can potentially threaten the lives of Muslims or wage a war.

“So that is when Muslim scholars came up with the distinctions of kafir harbi and others,” he said.

“But in the current context in Malaysia, we have a Federal Constitution accepted by all including all political parties. 

“So the kafir harbi label is severe, very dangerous, and can sow seeds of hatred,” stressed the former Paloh assemblyperson. 

Yesterday, PN’s Nenggiri by-election operations director Annuar Musa confirmed that a PAS member from Bachok, who first made the claim, has been “suspended” from campaigning for three days. However, he said there was no need for PAS to apologise to DAP.

Separately, electoral reforms coalition Bersih said such speeches could be viewed as an offence under the Election Offences Act 1954.

“Bersih reminds all parties, particularly the ones currently in Nenggiri, to be moderate in their political campaigns.”

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