PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa today warned those who are politicising the appointment of 10 politicians, including Sheikh Umar Bagharib Ali of DAP, to the board of trustees of the Islamic Propagation Foundation of Malaysia (Yadim).
The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department said the ministry would not hesitate to take action against them.
“They continue to lie and claim that DAP does not recognise Islam as the country’s official religion,” he said at the presentation of appointment letters to members of the Yadim board of trustees.
“This is a warning. Should this matter continue to be raised either in Yadim or externally such as via social media, firm action will be taken because it is a lie and a slander, which can divide the Muslims for the political interests of certain parties.”
Mujahid said the 10 politicians were chosen based on merit, qualification and experience, and had nothing to do with politics.
“I want to make it clear that they were selected because of their qualifications.
“Although they are politicians, that is another story. What is important is their qualifications and that is what we want to focus on”.
Umar’s appointment had raised eyebrows.
Umno Youth chief Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki was quoted as saying that Umar belonged to a party that had never recognised Islam as the official religion of the country.
Asyraf also claimed that the country’s Islamic institutions were now under threat from the “DAP-dominated” Pakatan Harapan administration.
Umar, meanwhile, said he had accepted his appointment as a member of Yadim’s board of trustees with an open heart and did not view it to be an issue.
“What is the problem with appointing (a representative) from DAP. Those who have no good agenda will say something (negative) like that.
“Those who view the appointment positively will say this is a good development for dakwah because DAP can also talk about Islam.” Umar, 33, holds a bachelors degree in Usuluddin (Islamic studies) from Universiti Malaya, majoring in dakwah.
He left Parti Islam SeMalaysia (Pas) to join DAP in 2005.
