After PAS MP’s 'distorted Bible' remark, youth chief moots intellectual discourse

PAS Youth chief Khairil Nizam Khirudin has proposed that dissatisfied parties hold a discussion with Pasir Puteh MP Nik Muhammad Zawawi Salleh over the latter's recent controversial remarks.

Last week, the PAS MP told the Dewan Rakyat that the Christian Bible had forbidden alcohol before it became "distorted" (terpesong).

Speaking at the "Half A Year of the PN Administration" convention this evening, Khairil pointed to Zawawi's PhD in comparative religion and opined the latter was qualified to make such comments.

"He (Zawawi) was speaking based on his knowledge from his comparative religion PhD.

"If we think our opinion is correct, then call him for an intellectual discourse to discuss this.

"If we see this as a sensitive issue, we can (discuss) it in a closed-door session," he said during his speech.

Zawawi (photo) uttered his remarks when debating the Road Transport Act amendments bill, which seeks to increase penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol.

In his speech, he claimed all religions forbade the consumption of alcohol.

When Beruas MP Ngeh Koo Ham, a Christian, corrected him and said it was intoxication that was wrong, Zawawi doubled down and said alcohol was not allowed in Christianity before the Bible was "distorted".

Zawawi has since defended his comments and declined to apologise, insisting Christians had "no right to be offended".

'Consequence management'

Meanwhile, during his speech, Khairil urged Perikatan Nasional to take stern action against those who insulted other religions and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

He used the term "consequence management".

"What I want to stress to the PN government is now is the time to implement consequence management on irresponsible rakyat who spread racism and clashes between religions.

"We need to do consequence management for those who insult the sultan, Agong, religions and who draw strange caricatures of Prophet Mohamad.

"There is no more time for PAS Youth to demonstrate on the streets since we are in government now," he said.  - Mkini