Nurul Izzah may face action over Islam remark, says deputy minister
Mohd Farhan Darwis, The Malaysian Insider
Legal action may be taken against PKR vice president Nurul Izzah Anwar for purportedly insulting Islam, a deputy minister in the prime minister’s department told Parliament today.
Datuk Dr Mashitah Ibrahim’s statement comes following allegations that Nurul Izzah had expressed her support for freedom of religion for all Malaysians, including Malays, in a forum last Saturday.
“Lembah Pantai (MP Nurul Izzah) said Malay-Muslims are free to choose their religion. In other words, (they) can exit Islam; that is apostasy…what’s the punishment that can be imposed on Lembah Pantai?” Sri Gading MP Datuk Mohamad Aziz had asked her in a supplementary question today.
“There are no such provisions for now, but it can be included under provisions on insulting Islam or causing Islam to be insulted,” Mashitah said during Question Time today.
“Anyone who orally or in written form mocks or causes Islam to be degraded, can be imposed with a penalty of not more than RM3,000 or jail of not more than two years, or both,” the deputy minister in charge of Islamic affairs said.
Nurul Izzah has denied supporting apostasy and yesterday said she would take legal action against Umno-owned dailies Utusan Malaysia and Berita Harian for allegedly twisting her statement.
