'If Muhyiddin can't respect rulers, he won't respect rakyat' - Saifuddin
STATE POLLS | Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail fired a volley of salvos at Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin, accusing him of exploiting the “Allah” case for short-term political gains.
He said the former prime minister also ignored the advice of Selangor ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah and the Conference of Rulers, who decreed that all quarters should not politicise the matter.
“As a Malay-Muslim political leader, if he cannot accept the advice of the rulers, then trust me, a person like this will not respect the rakyat (as well).
“He will continue to breathe in the political arena by raising issues even though the rulers have advised otherwise,” the minister told a press conference in Kedah.
Saifuddin (above) was referring to Muhyiddin’s speech at a ceramah in Selangor over the weekend that the government’s decision to drop an appeal in Jill Ireland’s case showed that it agreed with the court that Christians could use the word “Allah”.
Muhyiddin also claimed that DAP had influenced Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s decision, alleging that he too was pressured on the matter when he was the home minister during Pakatan Harapan’s 22-month reign from 2018 to 2020.
DAP has since lodged a police report against Muhyiddin.
‘Muhyiddin ignored cabinet decision’
Meanwhile, Saifuddin recalled how Muhyiddin had allegedly ignored the cabinet’s decision to seek an out-of-court settlement in Ireland’s case when Harapan was in power and Dr Mahathir Mohamad was the prime minister.
The decision to pursue an out-of-court settlement, he said, was based on the rationale that the case involving the Herald publication had dragged on for almost 13 years and gave rise to sentiments that caused concern.
“So the cabinet decision at the time, this was during Mahathir’s era when he became prime minister for the second time, was that for this case (involving Ireland), efforts should be made for an out-of-court settlement.
“Unfortunately, Muhyiddin never respected this cabinet decision. No efforts were made for an out-of-court settlement as decided by the cabinet, which was chaired by Mahathir himself.
“Because for him, there is political mileage to be gained by playing up this sentiment. He wants to showcase himself as a champion of the Muslims, to safeguard their faith,” he added.
PN chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin
On the advice of the rulers conference, Saifuddin said the conference is awaiting the recommendations from the National Islamic Affairs Council (MKI) chaired by the Selangor sultan.
He said the cabinet has tasked the Home Ministry to produce recommendations with the aim of having a new administrative direction following the court’s decision in Ireland’s case.
“The basis of the court’s decision is because there were conflicting decisions by the cabinet during the time when Mahathir was prime minister for the first time with regard to certain terms.
“The cabinet at the time issued a ‘partial ban’ whereas the Home Ministry made an administrative order for a ‘total ban’.
“Muhyiddin never changed the cabinet decision from partial ban to total ban when he became prime minister,” he added.
Moving forward, he said the cabinet has made several decisions on a new administrative decision and this would be submitted to the MKI, which in turn would table it to the Conference of Rulers.
“Muhyiddin’s recalcitrance is most regretted. He continues to play up 3R issues despite the rulers’ advice,” he said.
Saifuddin also said Muhyiddin is aware that it was an administrative issue but continued to harp on the matter for political purposes.
‘Christianisation’
This is not the first time that Muhyiddin had used this subject to convince Malay-Muslim voters to shun Harapan.
In the run-up to the last general election, the PN chairperson came under fire for a speech claiming that Harapan posed a danger to the religious status quo in Malaysia.
“Harapan is a huge danger. I saw a video where a group of Jews were talking about Malaysia and praying for the country to fall into the hands of the opposition (Harapan), which has been sponsoring these groups of Jews and Christians.
“For me, this is dangerous. Is a Christianisation process going on?” he said.
After courting flak, Muhyiddin claimed his speech was “selectively edited” and “completely taken out of context” by his political opponents.
On the advice of the rulers conference, Saifuddin said the conference is awaiting the recommendations from the National Islamic Affairs Council (MKI) chaired by the Selangor sultan.
He said the cabinet has tasked the Home Ministry to produce recommendations with the aim of having a new administrative direction following the court’s decision in Ireland’s case.
“The basis of the court’s decision is because there were conflicting decisions by the cabinet during the time when Mahathir was prime minister for the first time with regard to certain terms.
“The cabinet at the time issued a ‘partial ban’ whereas the Home Ministry made an administrative order for a ‘total ban’.
“Muhyiddin never changed the cabinet decision from partial ban to total ban when he became prime minister,” he added.
Moving forward, he said the cabinet has made several decisions on a new administrative decision and this would be submitted to the MKI, which in turn would table it to the Conference of Rulers.
“Muhyiddin’s recalcitrance is most regretted. He continues to play up 3R issues despite the rulers’ advice,” he said.
Saifuddin also said Muhyiddin is aware that it was an administrative issue but continued to harp on the matter for political purposes.
‘Christianisation’
This is not the first time that Muhyiddin had used this subject to convince Malay-Muslim voters to shun Harapan.
In the run-up to the last general election, the PN chairperson came under fire for a speech claiming that Harapan posed a danger to the religious status quo in Malaysia.
“Harapan is a huge danger. I saw a video where a group of Jews were talking about Malaysia and praying for the country to fall into the hands of the opposition (Harapan), which has been sponsoring these groups of Jews and Christians.
“For me, this is dangerous. Is a Christianisation process going on?” he said.
After courting flak, Muhyiddin claimed his speech was “selectively edited” and “completely taken out of context” by his political opponents.
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