Freedom of religion only for non-Muslims: Masing

(Borneo Post) – Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) viewed the recent statement by Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar as nothing else but an attempt to gain popularity among the people.

The party president Tan Sri Dr James Masing said he had always been given to understand that freedom of religion in Malaysia was only applicable to non-Muslims.

“Therefore, I am surprised when she (Nurul) said that religious freedom in Malaysia is inclusive,” he quipped.

Masing, who is Land Development Minister, said the statement by the Lembah Pantai MP also shows that PKR was a populist party with no fixed agenda to administer the country.

He stated this when commenting on Nurul’s statement that irked many Muslims, including the Sultan of Selangor, Islamic scholars and some BN leaders.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassan has described the statement as unwarranted especially when it comes from a fellow Muslim.

Nurul was in the limelight after expressing her view on religious freedom by suggesting that Muslims should be allowed to follow any religion of their choice.

Her father Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is the opposition de facto leader, in defending his daughter claimed that Nurul’s statement was not only misinterpreted but also manipulated.