Retract 'kafir harbi' remark, MIC tells Pahang mufti

PETALING JAYA: The MIC has demanded Pahang mufti Datuk Seri Dr Abdul Rahman Osman to apologise and retract his remark labelling DAP as kafir harbi which refers to non-believers who can be slain for being the enemies of Islam.  

Describing it as "uncalled for" and "unethical", MIC Youth chief C. Sivarraajh (pic) said no one, including DAP should be labelled as such.  

"I completely disagree with such a label. DAP is a political party and part of the country's democratic process.  

"They should not be labelled as such. In fact, nobody should be labelled as such ... it should be withdrawn with an apology," he said in a statement on Sunday. 

Sivarraajh said as much as MIC disagreed with DAP politically, the party would never label them by such categories and call them names. 

He cautioned that such labelling would only give ample opportunity to the Islamic State terrorist group to act against Malaysians who were deemed kafir harbi by people in authority.  

"It is an irresponsible statement that goes quite overboard.

"But as much as we disagree with DAP, what the Pahang mufti has said can cause misunderstanding amongst non-Muslims towards Islam," he said.  

He added that Abdul Rahman should also "make things right" although the mufti had clarified that he was not referring to just DAP but to those who opposed Islam in general.  

"This is not an apology. His statement came hot on the heels of a video by Islamic State threatening attacks against Malaysian police.   

"It urged its supporters to kill non-believers in Malaysia," said Sivarraajh.  

He said such statement could give enough ground for the police to open a case against the mufti.  

"Police should also open criminal investigation against the mufti on grounds of creating public mischief and incitement.  

"The mufti’s declaration is also sadly against Malaysia’s principles of religious tolerance, moderation and rationality.  

"Religious leaders should be more cautious and discreet when making any declaration or fatwa with regard to public order and security," he added.