YESTERDAY, the Selangor Palace dished out a rare rebuke to PAS for issuing a misleading statement over the state ruler’s meeting with Islamic party over the Bon Odori festival.
Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, via his private secretary Datuk Mohamad Munir Bani, said that His Highness denied PAS’ assertion that the monarch had sought the Islamist party’s views over the festival.
“His Highness stated his stance not to block the Bon Odori cultural festival that will be held in Selangor, which he views as purely cultural.
“The Ruler also does not bar any Muslims from attending the event until a thorough study will be done on whether there are elements of religion or culture, to avoid confusing the public, especially Muslims,” Munir said via a statement.
The statement came after New Straits Times reported Selangor PAS secretary Roslan Shahir Mohd Shahir on June 15 said that the Sultan had summoned Selangor PAS commissioner Datuk Ahmad Yunus Hairi for an audience to seek their views on the festival.
Following the rebuke from the Palace, netizens took to social media accuse the Islamist party of constantly lying to the public.
“Rilex je PAS menipu. Hahaha,” said user Rajaei.
(PAS is so cool when it comes to lying)
User Hitam added: “PAS dan menipu berpisah tiada.” (You can’t separate PAS from lies)
Netizen Alif retorted:
(PAS is getting bolder in lying that they are even misusing His Highness’ name)
PAS and the Selangor Palace came at odds with one another after Islamic Affairs Minister Idris Ahmad reminded Muslims to stay away from the Bon Odori festival that has been celebrated in Malaysia for nearly 30 years, alleging that the celebration is “influenced by elements of other religions” two weeks ago.
However, Sultan Sharafuddin intervened on the matter and instructed the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) and the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) to not obstruct anyone from attending it.
His Majesty also urged Idris, JAIS and MBSA to attend the festival so they could understand the difference between cultural and religious event.
However, both PAS youth and its ulama wing openly disagreed with the Ruler’s decree and urged all quarters to respect the views of muftis.
On June 11, Ahmad Yunus said the state government needs to assert its authority regarding the involvement of Muslims in the festival and penalise any employers who compel their Muslim workers to get involved in the festival.
Caught with pants down
On that note, Afral Abdullah said that PAS has been lying a lot since Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang became its president, so much as so that they were constantly losing court cases.
(These PAS clergymen are not only lying but also engage in slander. That’s why they keep losing civil suits under Hadi’s presidency)
Netizen Fakhrul Nizam remarked:
(The clergymen from PAS are not only imbeciles but also like to ride on religion. Once caught with their pants down, they accuse others of being idolaters and infidels) – June 18, 2022
