Spat between civil servant, Shahidan over Wahhabi issue intensifies

A spat between religious officer Zamihan Mat Zain (pic) and Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim on Wahhabi issues continued, with Zamihan now saying he will take legal action on anyone who tried to tarnish his reputation.

Zamihan, who is assistant secretary of the Home Ministry’s internal security and public order division, said Shahidan should contact Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi if he had any problems with him, not attacking him through the media.

On Shahidan, Zamihan said: “The minister should be supporting the government aspiration and civil servant like me and not resort to bullying.

“If he does not want to discuss through intellectual discourse, then stop attacking me. Stop questioning my credibility in carrying out my duty.”

Shahidan, who is Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, previously ticked off Zamihan for involving the Wahhabi in Putrajaya's crackdown on Shia followers in Malaysia.

He said Zamihan was attempting to confuse Islamic followers about Wahhabi and had angered many Umno leaders, an allegation which the latter has denied.

“Officers at the Home Ministry want to mete out punishment on Shia we will support but to mix up Wahhabi with the rest is unacceptable,” Shahidan said in an exclusive interview with The Malaysian Insider.

Zamihan, however, said he would only carry out his duty as instructed by the ministry’s secretary-general and the Home Minister, adding that his active involvement in other religious matters was based on the requests from religious department.

“In matters involving theology and ideology, we need to go into discussion to find out the truth. So, when the allegation was made against me on the religious ideology, to go into debate is the one of the way to do it.

“I am not afraid to stand up for the truth. Remember, that thinking landscape among civil servants has changed. I am talking from my expertise and through intellectual discourse.

“I have never gone against my ethics and integrity. If I have made mistakes or have breached the laws and regulations, let me be punished

“Yes... I’m a low ranking civil servant. After almost nine years serving I am still at grade S 41. This is the fate of religious officer. There is an element of double standards here compared to other posts.”

Zamihan yesterday asked why Shahidan was suddenly worried and snappy when talking about the Wahhabi, questioning whether Shahidan supported Wahhabi teachings.