PAS slams Nga's 'extreme' remarks on Christmas do, mulls legal action

Summary

• PAS condemns Nga Kor Ming for making “extreme” and “emotional” statements, including allegations that PAS is “deviant”, “spreading heretical teachings”, and “blocking Christmas celebrations”.

• The controversy stems from PAS Youth questioning Muslim participation in a Christmas event organised by the Housing and Local Government Ministry, citing National Fatwa Council guidelines.

• PAS announces plans to pursue legal action against Nga, accusing him of defamation.

• UPDATED 3.05PM | Nga says he will not succumb to threats by extremists.

PAS has strongly criticised Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming for making what it calls “extreme” and “emotional” remarks in a recent public statement against the party.  

According to PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan, Nga accused the party of being “deviant”, “spreading heretical teachings”, “exploiting religion”, “disrupting societal harmony”, and “blocking Christmas celebrations”.

These remarks were reportedly made in response to comments by PAS Youth vice-chief Muhammad Hanif Jamaluddin, who questioned the participation of Muslims in a Christmas celebration organised by Nga’s ministry.

Takiyuddin said Hanif had cited the 2005 National Fatwa Council guidelines and a Federal Territories Mufti’s Office ruling, both of which impose strict conditions on Muslim involvement in non-Islamic religious events due to concerns over Islamic faith and beliefs.

“Given these considerations, Hanif’s concerns and questions were valid and should have been addressed carefully and transparently,” Takiyuddin said.

He accused Nga of escalating the situation with his public response, which he described as reckless and inflammatory.

“In response to these remarks, the ministry issued a statement that should have clarified the situation. Instead, it dismissed the concerns raised,” Takiyuddin added.

Celebration ‘unprecedented’

He further claimed that, historically, it is unprecedented for government ministries or agencies to openly organise religious celebrations other than Islamic ones on government premises, let alone involve Muslim officers and staff.

“The issue should have ended there. However, the minister’s extreme and emotional outbursts in his recent media statement have worsened the situation, creating unnecessary tension and sparking a new public controversy.

“PAS holds the DAP leader fully liable for any tensions arising from his remarks, which could potentially repeat dark moments in the nation’s history, benefiting no one,” he said.  

Takiyuddin also accused Nga of disregarding the authority of Islamic institutions and overstepping his jurisdiction, including making unfounded claims that PAS is “blocking Christmas celebrations”.  

“By calling PAS not only ‘deviant’ but also ‘spreading heretical teachings’, Nga appears to have overstepped his authority, encroaching on the jurisdiction of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and state rulers as heads of Islamic affairs.

“He has also undermined the role of the National Fatwa Council and Islamic authorities responsible for determining the religious status of any person or group of Muslims - powers that no individual or entity, especially non-Muslims, possesses.”

Considering legal action

Takiyuddin emphasised that PAS has a longstanding tradition of offering well-wishes during religious and cultural celebrations, including Christmas, as a mark of respect for Malaysia’s diversity.

In light of Nga’s allegations, Takiyuddin announced that PAS plans to pursue legal action, describing the minister’s remarks as defamatory.

“This is not the time to sow hatred, incite hostility, or spread slander, as Nga has done in his Christmas statement this year.

“In light of these baseless accusations and malicious slander, PAS asserts its intention to take legal action against the minister in question,” he concluded. 

In a post on X this afternoon, Nga stressed that he would not succumb to "threats by extremists".

"I am a minister for all Malaysians regardless of race and religion. I will continue to promote racial and religious harmony.

"I will continue to defend our fundamental liberty enshrined in the Federal Constitution and never succumb to threats by extremists," he said.

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