Rantau Panjang MP Siti Zailah Yusoff has urged Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming to “embrace Islam” if the DAP leader is genuinely interested in the religion.
The former PAS Women chief also defended her query to Nga in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday on his use of Islamic phrases such as “sujud syukur” (prostration in gratitude) and “Alhamdulillah”.
“In my view, if he is interested in Islam, then he should just embrace Islam,” she told Malaysiakini.
Siti Zailah claimed to have received complaints of Nga allegedly mocking Islam when speaking to Chinese audiences.
“These (speeches) are said in Chinese. It’s Chinese friends themselves who told us this,” she said.
Contradictory speeches
Elaborating, Siti Zailah claimed Nga’s alleged speeches contradicted his tone in the Dewan Rakyat.
“So I asked, ‘Why is it like this?’ It’s a different character.
“That’s why I asked. If he is truly sincere, then ‘come, embrace Islam’,” she said.
Siti Zailah also likened Nga to Singapore’s former president Lee Kuan Yew, who adopted a “Muslim-friendly” persona but with “other agendas”.
Yesterday, Siti Zailah, who interjected Nga’s winding-up speech, directly asked the Teluk Intan MP if he ”is a believer”.
Nga had earlier used the terms to express his gratitude over the ministry’s success in reviving 40,000 units of “sick projects” under the PR1MA housing scheme in Bukit Katil, Malacca - the last out of 34 such abandoned projects nationwide.
Taking to Facebook today, the minister shared a video excerpt of his speech, defending his use of the terms with respect.
“It must be stressed that within the Madani framework, there is respect, and within Madani, there is also compassion.
“In a multiracial society like Malaysia, the practice of mutual respect is important, and the people must not be divided based on skin colour or religious beliefs,” he said.
“Do not follow PAS’ habit — everything they do is considered permissible, but when others do something good, it is labelled forbidden,” Nga added.
Linked to Muslim faith
However, Siti Zailah insisted today that the phrase “Alhamdulillah” is not just an Arabic term, but one directly linked to the Muslim faith.
“Surah Al-Fatihah begins with Alhamdulillah. So when someone says Alhamdulillah, they are giving thanks to Allah, the Creator.
“It means the person who says Alhamdulillah is someone who believes in the one God. Whereas Christians believe God is three.
“That’s why I asked, ‘Are you a believer?’ Because the words he uses - are they in line with the creed he holds? That was my point,” she said, citing Nga’s Christian faith.
Siti Zailah’s critics had claimed that PAS did not take the same view against its Non-Muslim Supporters Wing (DHPP) chief N Balasubramaniam after he quoted verses from the Quran during the party’s annual muktamar last year.
To this, she said, “The context with DHPP is different”.
She reiterated that Nga, unlike Balasubramaniam, had allegedly made Chinese speeches with elements against Islam, but put on a different character in Parliament.
“He (Nga) is different from DHPP. DHPP does not behave that way. That’s why I questioned him,” she said.
Nga, in response to Siti Zailah yesterday, reminded that he too was born in Kelantan and so is familiar with such Islamic terms, used with respect.
Later in the day, Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Aiman Athirah Sabu defended Nga, saying that expressions such as “Alhamdulillah” and “InsyaAllah” are phrases of praise and acknowledgement of God’s power and that the use of such words does not automatically make someone a Muslim. - Mkini
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