PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar's statement that religious freedom applied to Malays as well has been described by the home minister as insensitive and causing public anger.
Hishammuddin Hussein said the statement "tantamounts to politicising religious belief and making religion a pawn".
"As the minister responsible for security, I will not allow this.
"If (religion is) mixed with politics and you're not practising what you preach in religion and on racial issues, it can jeopardise national security," Hishammuddin said after officiating at a Sabah Rela-with-Leader programme, Sandakan, today.
He said they (PKR) should respond to Nurul Izzah's statement from the legal aspect if it was in conflict with the existing law, and that the relevant authority should take action.
A news portal, in a report on Nov 3, had quoted Nurul Izzah as saying that people should not be compelled to adopt a particular religion, and that this should also apply to Malays.
"When you ask me, there is no compulsion in religion ... how can anyone say sorry, this (religious freedom) only applies to non-Malays, it has to apply equally," she was quoted as saying when speaking at a forum on ‘Islamic State: Which version; Who's responsibility?’ in Subang Jaya on that day.
Hishammuddin said he wanted to know PAS' reply to Nurul Izzah's statement as the party had called Umno members infidels before for cooperating with MCA and Gerakan.
"But now such a sensitive issue as this is acceptable to PAS, which shows that the party is not consistent in its stand.
"The victims in this matter are the young who could get confused over the question of religious belief with the statement (made by Nurul Izzah)," he said.
Hishammuddin Hussein said the statement "tantamounts to politicising religious belief and making religion a pawn".
"As the minister responsible for security, I will not allow this.
"If (religion is) mixed with politics and you're not practising what you preach in religion and on racial issues, it can jeopardise national security," Hishammuddin said after officiating at a Sabah Rela-with-Leader programme, Sandakan, today. He said they (PKR) should respond to Nurul Izzah's statement from the legal aspect if it was in conflict with the existing law, and that the relevant authority should take action.
A news portal, in a report on Nov 3, had quoted Nurul Izzah as saying that people should not be compelled to adopt a particular religion, and that this should also apply to Malays.
"When you ask me, there is no compulsion in religion ... how can anyone say sorry, this (religious freedom) only applies to non-Malays, it has to apply equally," she was quoted as saying when speaking at a forum on ‘Islamic State: Which version; Who's responsibility?’ in Subang Jaya on that day.
Hishammuddin said he wanted to know PAS' reply to Nurul Izzah's statement as the party had called Umno members infidels before for cooperating with MCA and Gerakan.
"But now such a sensitive issue as this is acceptable to PAS, which shows that the party is not consistent in its stand.
"The victims in this matter are the young who could get confused over the question of religious belief with the statement (made by Nurul Izzah)," he said.
Dr M: Nurul’s statement ‘stupid’
Meanwhile former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has described Nurul Izzah's statement as a stupid and extreme calculation.
He said Muslims could not change their religion as they liked while the non-Muslims had the right to practise their religion without compulsion from any quarters.
"I don't know....(Nurul Izzah) wants too much freedom and she's politicking with no restraint. As Muslims, we cannot change our religion as we like but if others want to, it's their business.
"Under the (federal) constitution, each community can practise their own religion without restrictions.
“The Muslims practise theirs the Islamic way and other groups according to their religious belief," he said when met at the Paintball World Cup Asia 2012 championship at Dewan Mahsuri, Padang Mat Sirat, Langkawi, today.
"Although the majority of this country's population are Muslims and Malaysia is recognised by the world as a Muslim nation, it does not mean the non-Muslims here are forced to accept this religion of the federation as theirs," he added.
Meanwhile former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has described Nurul Izzah's statement as a stupid and extreme calculation.
He said Muslims could not change their religion as they liked while the non-Muslims had the right to practise their religion without compulsion from any quarters.
"I don't know....(Nurul Izzah) wants too much freedom and she's politicking with no restraint. As Muslims, we cannot change our religion as we like but if others want to, it's their business. "Under the (federal) constitution, each community can practise their own religion without restrictions.
“The Muslims practise theirs the Islamic way and other groups according to their religious belief," he said when met at the Paintball World Cup Asia 2012 championship at Dewan Mahsuri, Padang Mat Sirat, Langkawi, today.
"Although the majority of this country's population are Muslims and Malaysia is recognised by the world as a Muslim nation, it does not mean the non-Muslims here are forced to accept this religion of the federation as theirs," he added.
Earlier, four groups today lodged a police report against Nurul Izzah Anwar over her controversial statement.
The report was lodged at 1pm at the Meru police station by Gerakan Masyarakat Prihatin Meru, the resident association of Taman Datuk Bandar Meru, the resident association of Kariah Kampung Hj Mohamad Sharif Meru and the association of Kariah Surau Hj Kamarudin Meru.
Chairman of Gerakan Masyarakat Prihatin Meru, Jaya Kusuma Rosman, said Nurul Izzah should be responsible should there be Malays who leave Islam as a result of her statement.
He said she should also apologise to the Malays for the mistake.
- Bernama
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