Former law minister Zaid Ibrahim has backed Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming after the latter’s spat with PAS over a Christmas event held at his ministry recently.
This comes after Nga defended the event and said he would continue to celebrate various festivals with all levels of society without succumbing to bigots and extremists.
“When can we have a Malay-Muslim minister say things like that?” Zaid (above) asked on Facebook today.
On Dec 26, PAS Youth vice-chief Muhammad Hanif Jamaluddin cried foul over what he alleged to be a Christmas carol performance held at the Housing and Local Government Ministry’s headquarters in Putrajaya.
He took issue with a video of the performance where several Muslims were seen in the audience.
Hanif said as the minister in charge, Nga should know it is haram (forbidden) for Muslims to partake in festivities of other religions.
However, Nga shot back and said his ministry upholds the value of unity in diversity as a pillar of the nation’s strength.
“Respect and compassion are the two main principles of our administration.
“I advise PAS to repent and stop sharing slander or disrupting harmony among the races,” he stressed.
Legal action
PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan, however, accused Nga of making “extreme” and “emotional” remarks and threatened legal action against the minister.
On that note, Zaid praised Nga and commended the latter for standing up for the right thing.
He also took potshots at PAS for seeing itself as the guardian of Muslim affairs although not appointed to the role by Malay rulers, who are constitutionally empowered to handle Islamic affairs in their respective states.
“Nga remains undaunted. He will continue to be a minister for all Malaysians and promote harmony among the races,” Zaid said. - Mkini
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