‘IS is Umno’s real enemy’
> Militant group bigger threat than Opposition, says Hishammuddin
KUALA LUMPUR: Islamic State (IS) militants are the real enemies of Umno, not the Opposition, said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.
“Our (focus) is beyond political and individual position. We want to ensure (the well-being) of all Malaysians, regardless of race or religion. As long as they are Malaysians, Umno will defend their security.
“Our enemy is not Rafizi, not Wan Azizah and not Azmin Ali. Our enemy is bigger than them.
“Our enemies are those who are slaughtering (people) on Youtube, the ones who are burning (people) alive in Jordan, who do mass killings in Marawi. This should be our real agenda,” he told the Cheras division delegates at its meeting yesterday.
He reiterated the need for unity within the party, stressing that one of Umno’s struggles is to spread the counter narrative against Islamic militancy.
“Do not allow anybody to divide us, Umno is really fighting for the true face of Islam.
“Islam is under siege at the moment, we have to work even harder to understand the threats and allegations (against) Islam.”
While noting that Malaysia is respected for its security, Hishammuddin said Malaysians cannot be complacent.
“We are still respected by many because IS has not set foot on our land. But as of today, the denials that IS can never enter the region has become a reality.
“This is the direct effect of the success of the coalition between Mosul (Iraq) and Raqqa (Syria),” he said, adding that Mosul and Raqqa are now free from IS.
However, he cautioned the militants have openly announced that they were looking at this region as an Islamic Caliphate.
“So, if we are messed up with our politics and disputes among ourselves and are fighting for positions and power, we would become vulnerable to IS,” Hishammuddin told a press conference after opening the division meeting.
He said Malaysia’s established relationship with Saudi Arabia was for a common struggle.
“If the ummah is divided, then we will only walk into the hands of the militants. This will not only happen to Islam, it will happen to other religions as well,” he said.