Respect a two-way traffic: DPM

> Non-Muslims warned against meddling with affairs related to Islam

KUALA LUMPUR: People of other religions must respect Islam if they want Muslims to do the same to them, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Stressing that respect is a twoway street, he said although Muslims in Malaysia have a strong attachment to the “soul of Islam”, it does not mean that those of other religions are being sidelined.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also the home minister, warned others not to meddle with affairs related to Islam and its adherents in the country.

“Islamic laws must also be based on the al Quran, sunnah (the words and actions or Prophet Muhammad), ijma (consensus) of ulama and qiyas (comparison),” he said in his speech at the launch of Residensi RAH project in Kampung Baru, here.

Although Ahmad Zahid did not say it, his comments are believed to be directed at the recent ruling by the Court of Appeal to allow a child conceived out of wedlock to take up the surname of his or her father.

The court ruling was met with wide criticisms from Muslims, arguing that such a decision was in contradiction and interfering with the law of Islam.

An appeal against the decision to the Federal Court had since been made by the National Registration Department.

Ahmad Zahid said the redevelopment of Kampung Baru must retain the Islamic spirit and Malayness of the village that has been in existence for 113 years.

He said that in line with the changing times, the village cannot escape development, but it should retain its very own identity and historical characteristics.

“If we are too nostalgic with the old and reject the new, then wait for the old to be irrelevant. It is in this context that we want to see Kampung Baru developed, with such a spirit.

Later during a visit to KL Sentral, Ahmad Zahid expressed his dissatisfaction over the optimisation of its security system.

He said some security aspects in the city’s major public transport hub could be improved especially as the country will play host to the 2017 SEA Games this month.

“Although I am not satisfied with the optimisation of the system, I reckon that the level of alertness is there and action can be taken within the stipulated time.”