Mahathir says Nik Aziz sinful for infidel remark

(Bernama) – Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today it was sinful of PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat to have labelled fellow Malay Muslims as infidels because the whole world recognises Malays as Muslims.

“The whole world, I believe, recognises Malays as Muslims. This is one race which has race associated with religion. An individual is not Malay if he or she is not a Muslim,” he told reporters after launching an exhibition at the National Art Gallery, here.

Mahathir said: “If we accuse a Muslim of being an infidel, the accuser himself becomes the infidel.”

He was commenting on a recent statement by Nik Aziz, who is Kelantan mentri besar, that the Islamic teachings of Umno would not enable the party’s supporters to go to heaven.

Mahathir said Malays should strive to raise their values and capability to compete with the other people of the world instead of remaining complacent by thinking that Malays, as Hang Tuah said, would not become extinct in this world.

“Going by what Hang Tuah said, if we think that we will not become extinct, we do not have to strive at all. In the end, we will deteriorate and become the slaves of others. If we do not strive, what type of Malay will not become extinct?” he asked.