Islam in its prime in Pakatan-led Penang, says exco

Perplexed by Tun Abdul Hamid Mohamad's allegation that Islam was under threat in Penang, the executive councillor in charge of religion described the outburst as "sheer nonsense, absurd and ridiculous".

Datuk Abdul Malik Abul Kassim expressed shock over Hamid's claims and said the examples given by the former chief justice to support his "Islam under threat in Penang" statement, were absurd.

"We have facts and figures to prove that Islam is in its prime under the Pakatan Rakyat's administration since March 2008.

"I am annoyed that as a former chief judge, Hamid seems to have ignored the facts by making such assumptions," he said at a press conference in his Komtar office today.

To prove his point, Malik listed the various allocations given out to mosques, religious schools, religious teachers and Islamic programmes to strengthen Muslims' faith in the state.

Hamid, in a speech obtained from his website, had said that the position of Islam as the official religion of the federation was under threat in DAP-led Penang.

He said many non-Muslims in Malaysia wanted their own religions to be granted the same status.

Hamid also claimed that a former state mufti told him that it was difficult to get allocations for Islamic activities in the state, as leaders of other religions also demanded the same rights.

He said the mufti also informed him that at the opening ceremony of a building by the deputy chief minister, prayers were recited by a Christian priest, a Hindu priest and imam of the state mosque.

Hamid said he was perplexed as to why certain ulama could not see the trickery used by the Catholic Church, which wanted to use the word “Allah” in Malay Bibles and in services.

"The budget allocations for Islamic affairs in Penang had increased by over 300% if compared to BN's time," said Malik.
BN allocated RM25.49 million in 2008. The funds then gradually increased: RM35.78 million (2009), RM37.85 million (2010), RM63.21 million (2011), RM64.03 million (2012), RM54.55 million (2013) and RM51.17 million (2014).

He said the DAP-led government also gave funds to Sekolah Agama Rakyat, which was never done by the BN.

Since 2008, the schools have received RM1.5 million to RM1.75 million annually.

Other allocations, not given under BN, were also given to religious teachers and the Hufaz (persons who have completely memorised the Quran).

Malik said mosques state-wide also received thousands of ringgit annually, adding that he was able to send delegates to China, the Maldives and Australia in 2009, 2010 and 2012 to participate in “Cerapan Gerhana Matahari” (Eclipse of the Sun) Islamic programmes.

"The state also set aside a RM100 million 3.5 acre plot for the upgrading of the state shariah court.

"I don't have to go into all the details but it is certain that PR has given more money towards the development of Islam in Penang than the previous BN administration."

Malik also explained the incident mentioned by the former mufti, which concerned the Indian Association of Penang, which he said had members of different faiths.

The NGO did not seek advice prior to its event about conducting the prayers, but he did not see anything wrong for the other faiths to have their prayers recited at the ceremony.

On Hamid's remarks, Malik thought such words came from a leader of some Malay supremist non-governmental organisation or from Umno and Barisan Nasional.

"I did not think a former chief justice who is fair would make a statement so filled with prejudice, which also spreads a narrow racist attitude among the people."

Malik even challenged Hamid to furnish facts and figures to prove his claims. If he failed to do so, a one-day tour around Penang would be provided for him to show what the state government has done for Muslims.

Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng also said Hamid has exposed himself to be a racist, an extremist and a liar.

"In fact, we have given more to Muslims than BN ever did, so much so that Gerakan attacked us for giving so much to Muslims. And yet at the same time, Umno attacks us for neglecting Islam," he said today.

Penang deputy chief minister Professor P. Ramasamy also slammed Hamid's statement, particularly on the incident concerning the Indian NGO.

"I thought it was a fantastic thing that all the faiths were together. It is unbelievable that Hamid has said this...why is he so narrow-minded?"

Health exco Dr Afif Bahardin said Hamid, who is from Penang himself, should use the last few days of Ramadhan to come back and visit every single mosque in the state to see how busy they were.

He said there are so many beneficial religious activities being carried out for Muslims now that word on the street is that Penang is becoming like Kelantan.

"What Hamid said was slanderous...a lie and a stupid statement. It was made to incite the people, to create uneasiness between Muslims and non-Muslims.

"I hope he will retract his statement and apologise." – July 23, 2014.