Proposal for strict action against those who ridicule Islam submitted to Agong, says Anwar

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has submitted a proposal to Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah for strict action to be taken against those who ridicule and take advantage of Islam for their agenda.

Having discussed the proposal with his deputies, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Fadillah Yusof, Anwar said the proposal had also been submitted to Selangor ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.

"Wait for Aug 12 (after polling day for the elections in six states), no matter what are the results... This is not about politics, I do not care who they support, that is their right.

"... but if you take advantage of the religion, mocking Allah’s law, judging and defaming people, accusing people who do not support them as disbelievers, that they are enemies of Allah... I want to tell you tonight... we will not tolerate this nonsense," the Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman said at the Kita Selangor Grand Final in Kuala Lumpur last night.

The event was also attended by Zahid, as Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman, and Fadillah, who is the chief whip of Gabungan Parti Sarawak.

Anwar said the proposal was to defend the interests of all Malaysians, not just the Malays.

"Yes, we increase the understanding of Islam, the appreciation of Islam. We increase the mastery of the Malay language and establish the Malay language (as) the medium of instruction and the language of knowledge. We guarantee the privileges of the Malays and Bumiputeras and we uphold the sovereignty of the Malay rulers.

"But listen carefully, do not insult any Malaysian from any race... Every citizen, be it the Dayaks in Kapit, the Chinese, the Indians who are Hindus, they are all our citizens and we must defend them," he said, adding that this was because people from all races in Malaysia had the right to be respected and defended.

"This is not a zero-sum game – I support the Malays does not mean I will kick the Chinese... I’d like to stress that this country must be safe. This country must assist all the people," he said.

Meanwhile, Zahid said in his speech that the opportunity given by PH to BN to contest 108 of the 245 seats in the six state elections proved PH's sincerity about working with BN.

Therefore, he said, the BN machinery was responsible for helping the candidates fielded by the coalition and repaying PH's sincerity by striving to win the state polls in Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Penang, Kelantan, Terengganu and Kedah.

He also reiterated his confidence that Selangor would be administered by the coalition government, adding that he wanted Amirudin Shari to continue as Selangor menteri besar after the election.

"Even though we are being attacked and defamed, I am confident that when red (PH) and blue (BN) join forces in harmony, insha Allah (we will win)," he added.

Polling in the six states and for the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary by-election will be held simultaneously this Saturday.