Stop bowing to pressure from minorities, Perak mufti tells govt

Harussani Zakaria says Putrajaya should not bow to pressure from non-Muslims. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Perak mufti Harussani Zakaria said the government should not “bow to pressure from the minorities” on several recent controversial issues including on the calls to deport Indian preacher Dr Zakir Naik.

Harussani also said recent public debate over the learning of khat in primary schools and the insults on armed forces were unnecessary.

He said Putrajaya must get its priorities right by taking into account the interests of the majority “without ignoring the rights of the minority”.

He also criticised those calling for Naik’s deportation, describing the controversial preacher as “a guest of the same faith”.

Harussani also appeared to support the stand of his Perlis counterpart Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin, who said the authorities appeared to have turned a blind eye on others who have made sensitive statements.

“What about Waytha Moorthy who made the fake and slanderous claim on the plight of the non-Muslims, especially the Indian community?” he asked, referring to the minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of national unity.

Harussani also referred to the protests from Chinese education group Dong Zong, as well as recent remarks on the armed forces by Perak tycoon Koon Yew Yin.

Koon was questioned by police over a blog post in which he said Malaysian army personnel were “doing nothing except eating and sleeping”, and suggested that they should be recruited to work in plantations.

“Until when are we to bow to pressure from the minorities in preserving the interest of the general public which is more important and critical.” - FMT