Najib’s ‘weak government’ cause of Malay disunity, claims Perak Mufti

By Syed Mu’az Syed Putra

August 24, 2011

SHAH ALAM, Aug 24 — Tan Sri Harussani Zakaria has blamed Datuk Seri Najib Razak for causing a widening rift among Malays, and charged that the matter was deteriorating because of the prime minister’s “weak” leadership.

The Perak Mufti (picture) today revealed that he had met and advised Najib on the need to address three important issues concerning widening Malay disunity. He did not, however, specify when the alleged meeting took place.

“I said (to Najib) that the divide among Malays is caused by a weak government, corruption and lack of trust,” Harussani said today during a religious forum organised by Sinar Harian here.

Harussani also said the major split among Malays occurred after former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed sacked Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim from public office.

Najib, the country’s sixth prime minister, assumed office in April 2009 when he took over the role from Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Harussani said that Najib’s leadership style differed from that of his father, the late Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, as the latter had listened to the Perak Mufti’s advice and had addressed three issues which were contrary to Islam.

“Thaipusam takes place only once a year but in Penang, once a month, they (Hindus) would enter Malay kampungs ... in the constitution, Islam is the religion of the country but other people can practise their faith. (But) in this kampung, there was only one Hindu ... So I met Abdul Razak and he listened to what I had to say.

“The second matter involved 14 temples which had used Malay names. After I met with Abdul Razak, this was dealt with amicably. The third was the celebration of other faiths together with Islamic festivals. I said that this was ‘syirik,’” the Perak mufti explained.

He said he had attempted to approach Najib’s predecessor but that the latter had failed to do anything about the situation as well.

Harussani’s remarks come amid intense concerns voiced by Malay groups and NGOs that Malays had become increasingly divided over the past couple of years.

Some academics concur, with Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) vice-chancellor, Prof. Datuk Dr Mohamed Mustafa Ishak, claiming that the divide among Malays had worsened because the different, fragmented Malay groups were only interested in pursuing their own respective interests and agendas.