PKR calls ‘zakat abusers’ obstructers not defenders of Islam

ARCHIVES 2012

By admin-s On Jan 13, 2012

(TMI) – “Is using your position to stop a person who has been defamed from bringing a case to the Syariah Court considered defending the sovereignty of Islamic institutions?”

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 13 — PKR stepped up pressure on Islamic affairs minister Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom today, accusing him and two senior Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP) officials of standing in the way of Islamic law rather than defending its sovereignty.

One of the officials, MAIWP director Datuk Che Mat Che Ali, had yesterday insisted the trio used zakat funds to pay for their legal fees to “defend the sovereignty and honour” of Islam.

PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution (picture) poured scorn on Che Mat’s remarks today, insisting “they are not defending the sovereignty of Islamic institutions but blocking Islamic law from being executed.”

This comes on the back of another minister, Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, being forced to take three weeks’ leave yesterday due to continued attacks from PKR over the RM250 million National Feedlot Centre (NFC) project awarded to her family.

The women, family and community development minister has faced calls to quit from within Umno including from influential former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Saifuddin said in a statement today the trio were sued in their personal capacity for blocking the qazaf case from being heard in court.

“What is their excuse for using zakat money to defend themselves when sued when they were the ones who stopped the qazaf case from being brought to justice?

“Is using your position to stop a person who has been defamed from bringing a case to the Syariah Court considered defending the sovereignty of Islamic institutions?” the Machang MP asked.