Pua claims only those with 'mental problems' link disasters to religion

DAP lawmaker Tony Pua has claimed that only those with mental problems would link disasters such as floods to religion.

The Petaling Jaya Utara MP then questioned if there was a divine reason behind the disasters in Kelantan and Kedah.

“We cannot link disasters to religion. What is the meaning of a disaster in Kelantan? What is the meaning of a flood happening in Kuala Lumpur? There is absolutely no link (to religion).

“Those who link disasters to religion have mental problems. What they claim does not make sense,” he told a press conference in Parliament this afternoon.

He was responding to BN Padang Besar MP Zahidi Zainul's remarksregarding karma and offending other religions.

Debating the 2018 Budget in Parliament yesterday, Zahidi (photo) expressed sadness over the floods in the northwestern peninsula.

“We need to remember that the floods happened because of the inappropriate logging on hills in Penang and inappropriate development management.

"And don't forget, sometimes when we do things that are not right, among them pitting religions against one another, insulting religions, organising festivals that stray far from another's religion and causing anger, then surely karma will come and the people will suffer," he had said.

Meanwhile, Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad (photo) said climate change cannot be linked to karma and the disasters are a test for all.

“When something like this happens, we must help (those affected), don't criticise. We focus on helping and showing compassion to all, that is the test.

“We cannot simply dish out arguments. Numerous states have been hit with floods... Kedah and Kelantan... so we cannot make such a conclusion (karma),” he added.

The Amanah communications director also zeroed in on MCA Youth chief Chong Sin Woon's remarks regarding Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.

“I feel that politicising a disaster is cheap and baseless. Let us not be quick to judge when a disaster happens. Only Allah knows. When a disaster happens, we must help,” he added.

During the MCA annual general assembly over the weekend, Chong courted flak when he said that despite Lim's “tokong (deity)-like status”, the latter was unable to resolve the flood woes in his state.

Chong has since apologised. -Mkini