Saifuddin: Allegations that Pakatan sidelines Islam 'baseless'

KUANTAN: It is baseless to accuse the Pakatan Harapan government of sidelining Malays and Muslims, says Foreign Minister, Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah.

He said there had been many initiatives undertaken by the government that gave specific attention to the elevation of Islam.

"We have introduced the 'Mercy for All' idea. In the context of society, it is mercy for Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

"We are also restoring Tabung Haji with a government commitment of RM17.8bil. As has been raised by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, where were they when we brought up the issues faced by Tabung Haji.

"The Pakatan government saved Tabung Haji from bankruptcy, but they were silent. This is also an Islamic issue," Saifuddin said after the launch of the Indera Mahkota Sinar Kasih programme here on Saturday (May 4).

He was commenting on the "405" rally, held supposedly to defend the sovereignty of Islam.

Saifuddin said other efforts include additional allocations for tahfiz and pondok schools, as well as holding town-hall sessions on maqasid syariah (objectives of Islamic law and principles).

"Everywhere we go, we bring Islamic products and introduce them to foreign countries. Now, South Korea and Argentina are working with Jakim on halal certifications.

"It may not be perfect, but to accuse the Pakatan administration of sidelining the development of Islam or oppressing Islam is baseless," said Saifuddin.

He added that some of these initiatives might take time to show results.

"Our efforts in combating corruption are also an Islamic practice," he said.

On the launch of the Sinar Kasih programme in his constituency, Saifuddin said this was an extension of welfare activities carried out by Kasih Malaysia, the association for wives of Pakatan ministers and deputy ministers.

Under the programme, educational assistance would be rendered towards chronically ill schoolchildren.

Also present was Saifuddin's wife, Datin Norlin Shamsul Bahri, who is the chairman of the Kasih Malaysia education bureau.

Meanwhile in PUTRAJAYA, Parti Amanah Negara communications director Khalid Samad said that saving Malays and Islam should have started when Umno was in power.

He also said he hoped the people would not be influenced by made-up issues that made it seem like Malays and Islam were under threat.

He said that the same people remained quiet when billions of ringgit were allegedly siphoned out from Tabung Haji and Felda.

"The new government is trying to save Malays and Islam from actions that weakened both institutions. We want to be free of dirty politics, corruption and distrust," he said at the launch of Putrajaya Ramadan Festival.- Star