KUALA LUMPUR – Two opposition lawmakers in Kelantan have urged the state’s menteri besar, Datuk Mohd Nassuruddin Daud, to publicly apologise for his “extreme” comments in which he accused the pair of opposing the “perjuangan Islam” (struggle for Islam).
The two assemblymen, Barisan Nasional’s (BN) Galas representative Mohd Syahbuddin Hashim and Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) Dr Hafidzah Mustakim of Kota Lama, said that they will be initiating a civil lawsuit if Nassuruddin fails to apologise for his comments.
“On behalf of the 10,742 voters from Galas who voted for BN and the 9,691 Kota Lama voters who cast their ballots for PH, I am deeply offended by the menteri besar’s extreme statement which can lead to disunity among the people,” said Mohd Syahnuddin, during a joint press conference with Hafidzah today.
“(The statement) implies that BN and PH voters are against the struggle for Islam, but I and (Hafidzah) are both Muslims and God willing, we will die as Muslims.”
Adding that such “cynical and arrogant” remarks should be avoided in the future, he said that his lawyers will be sending over a notice of demand to Nassuruddin today. The Meranti assemblyman has seven days to apologise.
Meanwhile, Hafidzah, who is also the Kelantan Amanah Women’s chief, said that no one, regardless of their political position, is above the laws of the nation which aim to maintain unity and avoid disharmony.
“The mannerless statement, coming from our highest state leader, diverges from the spirit of our constitution and is disrespectful of our democratic rights.
“How can we perform our duties in the state administrative assembly if our leader has such a narrow-minded view of us?” she said.
She also urged religious authorities and figures to voice out against the statement, claiming that their continued silence on the matter implies their acceptance of Nassuruddin’s assertions.
On Friday, during a talk where he thanked voters for the support given to Perikatan Nasional (PN) during the recently concluded state elections, Nassuriddin had lamented the coalition’s failure to achieve a clean sweep in Kelantan.
He then suggested that people can look to BN and PH-held seats in the state if they were asked about leaders who are “against the fight for Islam.”
Nassuruddin’s comments came just days after he said that the state government will take a mature approach to strengthening its relationship with the federal government for the well-being of the people.
The state elections on August 12 saw PN secure 43 out of the 45 seats available in the Kelantan state legislative assembly. – August 20, 2023