Back BN to ensure 1MDB-Haj sponsorship continues, PM tells pilgrims

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has called on Muslims sponsored by 1MDB to perform their Haj to continue supporting the BN government.

He also said the 14th general election would be held before Hari Raya Aidiladha which falls in August.

"You will be leaving beginning July 14 and you will be facing two 'raya', the Hari Raya Aidiladha and the other 'raya' ( general elections).

"We will hold the other raya before you leave.

"This is to ensure that you can perform your ibadat (worship) in a comfortable manner. Everything won't change as long the government does not change," he added.

The premier urged the pilgrims to do their part to ensure that the 1MDB-sponsorship programme continues.

Najib said this before presenting offer letters to 1,200 pilgrims to perform the Haj at the Putrajaya mosque.

Without mentioning names, the prime minister also took a swipe at Dr Mahathir Mohamad for claiming that the Haj performed with 1MDB funds would not be “mabrur” (accepted).

He cited Perak Mufti Harussani Zakaria's statement that it is Allah who determines whose ibadat is accepted.

"Man cannot determine this. It is not his (Mahathir's) knowledge or expertise. it is Allah who determines. Do not politicise this," he added.

Before the function, Harussani, who was also present, gave a talk to the recipients, advising them that only God could determine the acceptance of their Haj and asked them to not be wary of 1MDB.

Najib also reminded the pilgrims to be thankful that the government is doing this for the benefit of the people.

"Do not believe claims that US$42 billion is lost as it is part of a debt which we will repay, as we have assets more than that. If there are mistakes, we will take action.

"Do not slander that there is a loss in 1MDB. Remember that the forex losses are much more and this happened during whose time?" he asked.

This was the same person, Najib said, who had claimed that using 1MDB funds to perform the Hajj, would mean the pilgrims' religious obligations are not accepted by God. 

1MDB's Hajj program began in 2011, with 111 pilgrims sent for their pilgrimage and to date, a total of 6,911 people have benefitted. - Mkini