Independent preacher Zainul Asri Mohd Romli apologised to those who were offended by his speech in Kedah last Saturday where he made remarks about “enemies of Allah”.
“I’m here to resolve the issue arising from my speech at the ‘Kedah Berselawat’ programme, in relation to the misinterpreted ‘enemy of God’ remark.
“I would like to make an explanation. I offer my deepest apologies to Malaysians who were offended by the speech.
“Indeed, I did not aim those remarks at any group and did not mention any political party or anyone else,” Zainul said in a video that was uploaded on his Facebook last night.
Yesterday, several Pakatan Harapan members lodged a police report against the independent preacher for allegedly making seditious statements by equating Kedah’s “political enemies” to “enemies of Allah”.
The report was lodged by the Harapan media mobilisation bureau chief Mohamad Yahya at the Dang Wangi police station in Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysiakini’s check found that Zainul Asri called for Muslims to pray more leading up to the state assembly dissolution.
He also said he hoped Kedah would be protected from “enemies of Allah”.
“May Allah protect this state from being toppled by Allah’s enemies and be won by the religion of Allah, Insyallah,” he said, followed by three chants of takbir.
Explaining his speech, Zainul Asri said what he meant by those remarks was based on the words of Allah in the Quran.
He quotes the translation of the Quranic verse which reads; “The Jews and Christians will never be satisfied until you follow their footsteps”.
“So that is my purpose with that speech because Islam is a religion that is steadfast in its belief and struggles, and rejects any form of argument or efforts from the enemies of Islam, which refers to the Jews and Christians.
“Hopefully, this explanation will bring all of us harmony, to Muslims and all Malaysians. Let us unite to defend the religion to our best, Insyallah,” he said.
Police probe to continue
Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail confirmed today that the police probe into the controversial comments made by the preacher would proceed as an investigation paper had been opeend.
He took the opportunity to reiterate his warning against engaging in destructive rhetoric based on the divisive 3R elements - race, religion, and royalty - during speeches leading up to the upcoming state elections.
Saifuddin emphasised that such a statement carried significant weight, particularly within conservative and traditional Muslim societies when they originated from religious figures.
“However, when the preacher was called in for questioning by the police. Following a complaint, he admitted his mistake, acknowledging that his initial statement was wrong,” he said.
Saifuddin then urged politicians and the public to focus their discourse on policy-based discissions during the build-up to the state elections.
Encouraging healthy debates, he emphasised the importance of campaigns centred around policies rather than entering into destructive territory fuelled by divisive rhetoric.
Using Kedah’s water supply problem as an example, Saifuddin highlighted how his party PKR’s water supply policy could offer a solution.
“For example, in the case of Kedah, if water supply is the problem, our water supply policy can solve the problem.
“Don’t enter the territory that is destructive,” he warned. - Mkini
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