Clarify stand over PKR MP breaking fast at gurdwara - Ramkarpal tells Umno

DAP National Legal Bureau chief Ramkarpal Singh has demanded that Umno state its stand over Muslims breaking fast at a Sikh gurdwara.

The Bukit Gelugor MP said he failed to understand why Johor Umno Youth chief Hairi Mad Shah criticised PKR Johor Bahru parliamentarian Akmal Nasir for doing so.

"The youth wing's condemnation of Akmal’s breaking fast at a gurdwara is ridiculous and an affront to our culture," he said in a statement today.

"Umno must now state if what Hairi said is its stand or his personal stance," he said.

Akmal was criticised by Hairi for attending a buka puasa event together with other Muslims at a gurdwara on May 28. On the same day, Hairi questioned if it was proper for Akmal to invite Muslims to buka puasa at a Sikh house of worship house.

Akmal has since defended his move and said this was not the first time he attended a buka puasa event at a gurdwara.

Ramkarpal questioned if Hairi was aware that a Gurdwara in Dubai opened its door to Muslims to break fast and gave them a place to pray recently.

"Is Hairi going to condemn those Muslims in Dubai as well?" questioned the Bukit Gelugor MP.

"I am a non-Muslim but I enjoy breaking fast with Muslims anywhere. It need not be in a mosque or surau as long as we respect each other and provide for each other’s needs," he said.

"If breaking fast in a gurdwara in Dubai is accepted, why not in Malaysia?

"People like Hairi are doing a disservice to multicultural Malaysia."

This is most unfortunate and creates a false perception that Muslims and non-Muslims should not break fast together at a non-Muslim place of worship," he said.

"We non-Muslims will always welcome you at any venue and will always celebrate our diverse culture in this great country called Malaysia," added Ramkarpal. - Mkini