Christmas clamour: Nga statement misleading - Pahang PAS

Summary

• Pahang PAS deputy commissioner Andansura Rabu said DAP leader Nga Kor Ming’s statement against the Islamist party is misleading.

• Pahang PAS has lodged nine reports against Nga since yesterday.

• This is over the Christmas celebration held at the Housing and Local Government Ministry.

Pahang PAS described DAP leader Nga Kor Ming’s accusation of the Islamist party being misguided and religiously motivated as excessive and absurd.

According to Pahang PAS deputy commissioner Andansura Rabu, Nga’s statement was dangerously misleading and could invite confusion.

“When we questioned his behaviour as the Housing and Local Government Minister in holding a Christmas celebration involving Muslim staff, he made the accusation that PAS is misguided.

“This is confusing and that statement issued by Nga is actually misguided and misleading.

“We questioned his actions because it is clear that Muslims cannot take part in celebrations of other religions, what more when there is singing of the ‘greatness’ of the celebration according to the understanding of the religion involved,” said Andansura (above) when met after filing a report at a police station in Kuantan, Pahang today.

On Dec 26, PAS Youth vice-chief Muhammad Hanif Jamaluddin cried foul over what he alleged to be a Christmas carol performance held at the Housing and Local Government Ministry’s headquarters in Putrajaya.

He took issue with a video of the performance where several Muslims were seen in the audience, saying that Nga should know it is haram (forbidden) for Muslims to partake in festivities of other religions.

However, Nga said his ministry upholds the value of unity in diversity as a pillar of the nation’s strength and that he would not succumb to “bigots, bigotry, and extremists”.

PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan in turn accused Nga of making “extreme” and “emotional” remarks and threatened legal action against the minister.

No celebration other than Aidilfitri, Aidiladha

Andansura advised Nga to check the Federal Constitution to understand why PAS condemned the event.

In all of Malaysia’s years as an independent country, there has never been a ministry celebration of festivals other than Aidilfitri and Aidiladha, he claimed.

“I would like to advise Nga or any other minister with the intention of organising a similar celebration in the future not to damage the harmony of Malaysia with such actions,” he said.

When asked about the number of police reports Pahang PAS lodged against the minister, Andansura said about nine had been made since yesterday.

He explained that the police need to investigate Nga so that the incident is not repeated.

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