Johor PKR chief defends MP in wake of 'buka puasa' royal rebuke

Johor PKR chief Hassan Karim has defended Akmal Nasir for breaking fast at a Sikh gurdwara last week, which courted criticism from state ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar.

He said while the sultan, who is also the state religious head, is entitled to air his stand on the matter, the Johor Bahru MP, however, did not violate Islamic law.

“It is not wrong from the perspective of Islamic law for Akmal to attend a buka puasa(breaking of fast) event at a gurdwara. It is not a major issue," he told Malaysiakini this afternoon.

“Akmal was chosen by the people of Johor Bahru as their leader regardless of religion.

“He did not perform his prayers at the gurdwara. He did his prayers at Masjid Kotaraya. He was at the gudwara merely to buka puasa,” he added.

Previously, Sultan Ibrahim said Akmal's actions had caused unease among the Muslims.

He also said such events at non-Muslim places of worship presented an opportunity to those of other faiths to proselytise to Muslims.

“When a Muslim intentionally attends a temple on the premise of attending a buka puasa event with non-Muslims, this opens space for non-Muslims to preach their religion to that Muslim," he added.

The ruler said this could lead to Muslims holding other religious events such as prayers, distributing zakat (tithes), korban (ritual sacrifice), tahlil (supplications for the deceased), funeral prayers, celebrating Haj pilgrims, wedding solemnisation and others at non-Muslim houses of worship.

On June 1, de facto Islamic affairs minister Mujahid Yusof Rawa said Akmal did nothing wrong and breaking fast at a gurdwara can foster better ties between the races. - Mkini