Islam never taught us to make enemies based on eye, skin, or blood - Rafizi

PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli has expressed concern over Perak PAS commissioner Razman Zakaria’s antics, which he said amounts to a call for Malays to unite against the ethnic Chinese.

The economy minister also said this is against Islamic teachings. 

“In this day and age, it is easy to stoke ethnic sentiments to garner the people’s support, especially in the name of defending Islam.

“This is despite Islam never teaching us to make enemies based on the size of our eyes, the colour of our skin, or the colour of our blood,” he said in a post on X today.

He was responding to Razman’s speech in Teluk Intan on Oct 26, during a counter-demonstration against an incident where China’s national flag was flown by Chinese delegates of the International Guan Gong Cultural Festival two days earlier.

“We ask those whose eyes are like this (while pointing to his eyes), skin like this (while pointing to his skin), and blood like ours, we must unite, this is the struggle we champion,” he said while holding the Malaysian flag, based on a video of his speech.

READ MORE: KINIGUIDE | 'Flag war' over Guan Gong Festival

Rafizi said he was not surprised that Razman has continued to make “dangerous” speeches, given his track record of getting sued for his claims.

He noted that Razman had to apologise to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in court in the past and was ordered by another court to pay damages for defaming former Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng.

“But I’m surprised that PAS has kept him as the Perak PAS commissioner. The minds of our youth will be spoiled by having elected representatives like this,” he said.

READ MORE: Perak PAS chief apologised to Anwar to 'save PM's name', says son

While Rafizi believed Razman’s speech was racist, he mused whether the Gunung Semanggol assemblyperson’s contention based on physical features made sense.

“I looked at his photo alongside that of Kuching MP (Kelvin Yii). I think their eyes are just as narrow and just as round.

“If you say his (Razman’s) skin is dark, it’s not that dark. It is more or less the same as other Malaysians, whether Malays or Chinese.

“I can confirm his blood is red, just like (DAP secretary-general) Anthony Loke’s blood”, the economy minister said.

Rafizi added that he is ashamed of Razman’s claims.

“I’m ashamed because Islam has a longer history in China than here. The number of Muslims in China is estimated to be around 30 to 50 million, which is more than all Muslim bumiputera in this country.

“The famed Ming Dynasty admiral Cheng Ho is a Muslim from Yunnan who is known worldwide as the greatest admiral of all time,” he said.

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