‘MALAYSIA IS FOR MALAYS’ – SEDITIOUS OR NOT, PERLIS MUFTI FIRES BACK AT NON-MALAYS WHO ARE DEMANDING HIS HERO ZAKIR NAIK BE DEPORTED FOR INSULTING THEIR FAITHS & CULTURES: WILL MUHYIDDIN DARE TO TAKE ACTION?

KUALA LUMPUR – Justice is for everyone, but when it comes to national identity, there must always be a dominant race, Perlis Mufti Datuk Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin said.

In a video of a sermon posted on his Facebook page last night, Asri said the concept applies elsewhere, including India, China and Europe for all the west’s talk of human rights and equality for all.

“A nation must have its identity. We are not being racist… Islam… China is for Chinese. No one questions that. That it their identity. India is for who? For the Chinese, agree? Of course not. India is for Indians.

“Europe, despite them talking about human rights, equal rights, but Europe is still for the whites, for the white people.

“Malaysia, Tanah Melayu, for whom? For whom? Must have its people too. China is for Chinese. The Indian continent is for Indians, but Tanah Melayu is not for Malays? Cannot, cannot. Must be for all.

“Justice is for all, that is correct. But there must be a dominant race, correct? There must be a dominant race,” he said.

The mufti said he is not racist, but only rational and explained that he did not equate dominance with oppression.

“But if someone says because the Malays are dominant, and so we must oppress the other races, that notion, we must oppose, We oppose such oppressors.

“We must oppose when one says, we must be cruel to others, and disrespect their rights,” Asri added.

In his sermon, the mufti appeared to make a veiled barbed statement against certain Pakatan Harapan leaders for their silence in the face of attacks against the country’s armed forces.

“I notice that some who just got positions and all that, they can be so silent when people attack the military. Silence.

“No can’t do, because rahmatan-lil-alamin,” he said sarcastically, using the Arabic phrase that means mercy to all creation ― a line frequently cited by Minister of Islamic Affairs Datuk Mujahid Yusof Rawa.

Prominent tycoon Koon Yew Yin who founded property development giant IJM Corporation and infrastructure titan Gamuda Berhad, is currently under police investigation over a critical post in which he accused the armed forces of “doing nothing except eating and sleeping” and suggested the replace migrant labour to care for state-owned farms.

Koon’s remarks drew public backlash and he has since apologised.

Police are also investigating another prominent public figure, Mumbai-born preacher Dr Zakir Naik for alleged racial and religious incitement during a lecture in Kota Baru, Kelantan last Saturday.

In his video-recorded sermon, Asri said he disagreed with the fugitive evangelist’s innuendos about Indian and Chinese Malaysians, adding that the remarks were unnecessary.

“I am ready to criticise Zakir Naik. I said I don’t agree with the remarks, though it was taken out of context, but still, no need to say such things,” he said, adding that those who make scathing remarks about others lay themselves open to criticism.

Dr Zakir, wanted in India on money laundering and hate speech charges, has been living in Malaysia since 2016 where he is a permanent resident.

He has been a divisive figure in Malaysia where he is hugely popular among conservative Muslims while the minorities, especially the ethnic Indian and Chinese, want him out of the country following his repeated remarks against their beliefs.

While Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has said the government will not send him back to India despite an extradition request as Dr Zakir risks being killed, Singapore daily The Straits Times today reported the Cabinet has decided the preacher must go.

Police issue warning against those using Zakir Naik issue to undermine racial harmony

KOTA BARU – The police today warned they will not hesitate to act firmly against anyone who attempts to undermine racial harmony in the country over the issue of controversial preacher Dr Zakir Naik who is under a police investigation.Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Mazlan Mansor called on the people to stop spreading messages that can disrupt racial harmony with the intention to jeopardise public order.“The police will monitor the situation. We have issued a warning on the matter,” he told reporters after visiting Besut District Police chief Supt Mohd Zamri Mohd Rowi at the intensive care unit of the Universiti Sains Malaysia Hospital here.

Mohd Zamri is under treatment for injuries he sustained after he was attacked by a machete-wielding man, believed to be mentally unstable, in front of his house in Kampung Padang Luas, Besut, yesterday. His right thumb was severed and he was injured in the back of the head.

Terengganu Police chief Datuk Aidi Ismail and Kelantan Police deputy chief SAC Abdullah Mohammad Piah also visited Mohd Zamri.

CID director Datuk Huzir Mohamed said yesterday that the police have opened an investigation against Dr Zakir under Section 504 of the Penal Code for intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of the peace following numerous police reports against the preacher.

Dr Zakir had allegedly made controversial statements against Malaysian Indians and Chinese.

— Bernama