New Straits Times

‘Dr M should say sorry to Muslims’

- NIK IMRAN ABDULLAH AND ARNAZ M. KHAIRUL KUALA LUMPUR news@nst.com.my

CRUDE REMARK:

His use of Prophet’s name is uncalled for, says Kedah Umno Youth chief

KEDAH Umno Youth has urged former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to apologise to Muslims for reportedly making a derisive reference to the character of Prophet Muhammad.

Its chief, Datuk Shaiful Hazizy Zainol Abidin, said the use of the Prophet’s name in the current political situation was uncalled for.

“His remark is not only crude, but also heartbreak­ing for Muslims,” he said yesterday.

Dr Mahathir was quoted as saying the Prophet did not have RM2.6 billion in his account, in an apparent sneer at Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and the 1Malaysia Developmen­t Bhd issue.

Dr Mahathir, who is also Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia chairman, made the remark at the DAP convention in Shah Alam on Sunday.

Shaiful Hazizy said it was unacceptab­le to mix the character of Prophet Muhammad with the current political situation.

“After all means to topple the government have failed, Dr Mahathir used the Prophet’s name to justify his mission.”

He said it would be advisable for Dr Mahathir to apologise for his transgress­ion and to recite again the proclamati­on of syahadah (article of faith) for fear that he might have stepped out of Islam.

In Malacca, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron described Dr Mahathir’s attendance at the DAP convention as a “political catastroph­e”.

“I never imagined it could come to this. While Najib was with Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang (in solidarity with the Rohingya), Dr Mahathir shared the stage with DAP leaders.”

Idris said Dr Mahathir’s action signified his desperatio­n to oppose the government.

“Not too long ago, Dr Mahathir hated DAP deeply, but now, he doesn’t. He must be out of his mind.”

Idris said he blamed himself for being a close ally of Dr Mahathir in his early political career.

“As a person who once followed him closely and ‘worshipped’ him, I cannot forgive myself for that.”

STAMPS

Pos Malaysia Bhd employee Norsazila Zainuddin showing special stamps featuring Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. The stamps will be issued on Dec 13. Bernama pic

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