WHILE Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia has charmed many Malaysians for mooting the much-publicised asam pedas feast with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, ‘young ustaz‘ Rayyan Wong felt otherwise.
As a Muslim, he contended that he was compelled as to point out to fellow Muslims that such gesture goes against Islamic teachings.
The 22-year-old winner of this year’s PAS Youth Chief Award who was widely applauded over TikTok by his fan base for daring to speak up went on to say he harboured no intention to insult both “TMJ (Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim) and PMX but such is the foundation that need to be known as a Muslim”.
Editor’s Note: TMJ was present during the ikan asam pedas lunch hosted by his father but one wonders why Rayyan chose to mention TMJ rather than to highlight Sultan Ibrahim’s name instead.
“Forgive me Tunku and apologies to PMX for as a commoner, I don’t intend to insult both of you but merely to humbly point out this matter as a Muslim,” the accounting graduate from Tunku Abdul Rahman University addressed both leaders in a minute-long TikTok video clip.
“It’s my true hope that you will take into heart this matter so as not to again frequent non-halal eateries.”
Added Rayan whose clip has breached one million views, 101.3k likes, 11.1k comments and 18.7k shares at the time of writing:
“It’s an ordinary Chinese restaurant with no halal certification … without the halal certificate, it doesn’t matter if you’re a government officer, PM or commoners; as Muslims it’s obligatory to refrain from patronising non-halal eateries.”
Adults’ rebuttal
Often touted as the ‘mini version’ of Firdaus Wong Wai Hung (coincidentally, both also share the same surname), Rayyan who was born Wong Yong Heng before he discovered the light on July 26, 2021 had had his primary education at SJKC Pulai in Tangkak (Johor).
He had even admitted to #QuranHour that he was once a victim of domestic violence when his family found out that he prayed in his room.
Human rights activist and lawyer Siti Kasim who is praiseworthy of the subtle message Sultan Ibrahim has sent through his asam pedas dining with PMX led the chorus of attack:
“This ignorant boy is one of the targets of the message the Agong wants to send by visiting the Chinese restaurant,” asserted the Orang Asli advocate on her Facebook page.
“Maybe he is a convert and this is the type of Islam that he has been taught. To be petty over nothing. Brainwashed.”
Many so-called adults seconded Siti Kasim: – Dec 15, 2024
Main image credit: #QuranHour/TikTok
