Asri Turns To Umno For Support In Tiff With Ph Over Islam

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(FMT) – Perlis mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin has turned to Umno leaders for support amid his misgivings with the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government in the wake of the arrest of a close associate over the weekend.
Umno Youth chief Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki revealed that the mufti, a frequent critic of the previous Barisan Nasional government, had contacted him seeking the wing’s support over his statement accusing the PH government of double standards.
“But what pleases me is that my friend has acknowledged the reality about the position of Islam under PH, when he described (Muslims as) bullied and not secure.
“May Dr Asri be vocal again to expose the confusion and falsehood of the PH government today, especially on matters of Islam, Muslims and the people in general,” said Asyraf, who is the former deputy minister in charge of Islamic affairs.
Asri’s claim that PH leaders were silent in the face of what he described as attacks on Islam by government leaders did not sit well with Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Last night, the prime minister labelled him as “deaf”, and defended the government’s Islamic credentials.
Asri had earlier taken issue with the authorities over the arrest of Muhammad Zamri Vinoth Kalimuthu, a Muslim preacher closely associated with Perlis religious authorities, over remarks allegedly insulting Hinduism.
He said Putrajaya was practising double standards, and accused it of not acting against those who made remarks offensive to Muslims.
Asyraf said he agreed with Asri’s stand.
“Till today, we see no action taken against government leaders such as (Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department) P Waytha Moorthy and (Human Resources Minister) M Kula Segaran over speeches that incite and strain racial and religious ties, despite numerous reports lodged against them,” he said.
 

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