Don’t prey on Islam, Jamil warns Tenang campaigners

January 23, 2011

Jamil said religion was a sensitive issue. — file pic

LABIS, Jan 23 — Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom today advised political parties campaigning in the Tenang state by-election to refrain from using Islam to raise sensitive issues which can disunite the people.

He said Islam could not be used as a tool to garner political support by confusing the people and subsequently disuniting them.

“Elections are often seen as a platform to defame and raise sensitive religious issues,” he told reporters after launching an Islamic mini carnival here.

Jamil Khir said the people must realise that various issues would be raised during a by-election and that religion was a sensitive issue.

He said they must realise that the strength of the country rested on unity and the earnestness of the Barisan Nasional (BN) government in developing the country.

The Tenang state by-election on January 30 is a straight fight between former assistant district officer Mohd Azahar Ibrahim, 39, of the BN and former teacher Normala Sudirman, 38, of PAS.

It is being held following the death of the assemblyman, Datuk Sulaiman Taha of the BN, on December 17. — Bernama