Kelantan MB told to apologise over 'opponents of Islam' remark

 

Two opposition Kelantan lawmakers have given the state menteri besar seven days to apologise for purported “extreme” remarks against them or face legal action.

Referring to Mohd Nassuruddin Daud’s remarks on Friday, Galas assemblyperson Mohd Syahbuddin Hashim accused the PAS menteri besar of calling them “opponents of the Islamic struggle”.

Perikatan Nasional almost did a clean sweep of the recent Kelantan election, with Syahbuddin (BN) and Kota Lama assemblyperson Hafidzah Mustakim (Pakatan Harapan) being the only opposition representatives in the state assembly.

“On behalf of the 10,742 Galas constituents who voted for BN and 9,691 Kota Lama constituents who voted for Harapan, (I am) highly offended by the menteri besar’s statement which I see as extreme.

“The statement that going against PAS is akin to going against the Islamic struggle is a ‘takfiri’ culture with the power to cause disunity among the people,” Syahbuddin said, referring to a practice of condemning enemies as infidels or non-believers.

“I am a born Muslim and InsyaAllah I will die a Muslim, I will never do anything to oppose Islam,” he said during a press conference with Hafidzah in Kota Bharu today.

Hafidzah, who is also the Kelantan Amanah Women’s chief, dismissed Nassuruddin’s remarks as “political nonsense” which must be rejected and corrected.

“To me, this is political nonsense, a major corruption that must be rejected by all.

“This must be corrected, because I see if the people and Muslim scholars remain silent, it is as if we condone such acts by a senior leader,” she said.

She also argued that it is impossible for them to perform their check-and-balance function if they are perceived with such little respect by the state administration.

Kelantan Menteri Besar Mohd Nassuruddin Daud

Nassuruddin, in a viral video, delivered a lecture linking PAS’ achievements in the state elections to a victory for the Islamic struggle.

He described two seats won by Harapan-BN as being held by those who “opposed the Islamic struggle”.

‘We cannot compromise’

Meanwhile, Syahbuddin said he and Hafidzah have ordered their lawyers to send a letter of demand to Nassuruddin.

“I’m confident that BN and Harapan voters in Kelantan remain firm to uphold Islam, the nation, and country without prejudice. We give him seven days.

“Failure of the menteri besar to apologise openly will lead to further legal actions that is to file a civil suit in court.

“We cannot compromise and allow such speeches or practice of triggering disunity to continue in Kelantan.

“As menteri besar, by right, the approach to bring people together should have been chosen, rather than making wild accusations and sowing seeds of confusion,” Syahbuddin said.

He added that their move is in line with Nassuruddin’s own lecture that quoted Khalifah Umar Al-Khattab, from the time of Prophet Muhammad SAW, for the people to correct their leaders. - Mkini