PARLIAMENT | The Dewan Rakyat erupted into chaos today after Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail lamented about the political 'distortion' of Islam in politics.
In what appears to be a veiled reference to PAS, Saifuddin said that politics should be separated from race and religion and instead focus on policies and ideologies.
He cited examples of politicians championing Islam to draw in voters - supporting them would equate to supporting Islam, and opposing them would mean opposing the religion.
"We cannot continue with that. Islam is a religion of peace, of love, that hopes we respect one another.
"It is a beautiful religion but due to the involvement of politics, its teachings are distorted," Saifuddin (above, left) told the lower house.
Bad intentions
This led to PAS lawmaker Zulkifli Ismail (PN-Jasin) interjecting, accusing Saifuddin of "fitnah" (slander) and "cakap benda mengarut" (talking nonsense).
Zulfikfi (above) said that Saifuddin had bad intentions by issuing such a statement, and was acting out of line from his duties as a minister.
"As a minister, you should be giving ideas and ways to solve issues such as the economic crisis, education, culture, and social (aspects). Not issuing statements that attempt to worsen the clash between parties," he said.
Saifuddin repeatedly questioned how he had done so by merely stating that Islam was a beautiful, peaceful religion that taught everyone to respect one another.
Jasin responded with, "It is wrong when it has elements of slander and ill-intentions."
This led to further tense conditions with several other MPs from both the government and opposition blocs joining in the shouting match.
RSN Rayer (Harapan-Jelutong) called on the deputy speaker Ramli Mohd Nor to instruct Zulkifli to withdraw the words "fitnah” and "mengarut” from his statements.
This was met with protest by Zulkifli who insisted he had done no wrong by opining that the minister was issuing slanderous statements. He eventually withdrew his statement after being warned of the consequences.
Awang Hashim (PN-Pendang) then stated that Rayer had no right to intervene in the discussion as he was a non-Muslim.
He also requested the latter to withdraw the word “biadab” he had earlier hurled at Zulkifli.
Rayer withdrew his comments upon the request of Ramli, right before Sany Hamzan (Harapan-Hulu Langat) stood up to chime in on the conversation.
After several minutes of shouting from members of the government and the opposition bloc, both Sany and Che Mohamad Zulkifly Jusoh (PN-Besut) were issued warnings from Ramli. - Mkini
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