'If UMNO regards ‘Turun Anwar' rally as haram, then is it halal to defend tyrannical leader?' asks Bersatu
It has been contended by UMNO's Pahang state assemblyman for Kerdau Syed Ibrahim Syed Ahmad's that Saturday's (July 26) Turun Anwar rally was not in accordance with Islamic principles.
The State Committee for Islamic Affairs, Rural Development and Orang Asli Affairs chairman claimed that the event was akin to forcibly removing a democratically-elected government and thus declared it as haram.
This has sparked the furore of Bersatu information chief Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz who asked which 'fatwa' (religious decree) that UMDAP (opposition slang for UMNO in close association with DAP) was basing this on.
The press secretary to the then Communications and Multimedia Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa also took the opportunity to highlight UMNO's misdeed in the shape of 'sleeping with the enemy' – namely, the DAP – which in the eyes of the Bersatu man, 'is unforgiveable and akin to a betrayal of one's religion'.
He also conveniently lumped the DAP alongside the 'liberals, secularists, evangelists and pluralists' within the Pakatan Harapan (PH) ranks.
It was no holds barred as Tun Faisal slammed UMNO for defending a former PM who is incarcerated for corruption while the incumbent is one who has been jailed for sodomy with another case still pending. 'What was so halal about this,' he asked incredulously.
The many protests against PM8 – Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin – during his pandemic-affected tenure was also highlighted as proof of UMNO's hypocrisy.
It was an act of sabotage against the Muafakat Nasional agenda as well as against Muhyiddin himself who had come from within the UMNO ranks.
The successful 'coup' against the Perikatan Nasional (PN)-led Perak state government was also brought up to showcase UMNO's double standards.
Aside from Tun Faisal, Syed Ibrahim's pronouncement also elicited a response from opposition-linked preacher Ustaz Aire Roslan.
He reasoned that the Turun Anwar rally was a peaceful protest held in accordance with democratic principles to demand better governance as opposed to a movement to destroy the nation. As such the UMNO leader's assertions were way off the mark.
There are a few things to note about this episode.
Firstly, both sides have been guilty of political expediency when it suits their respective parties. To accuse one another of betraying certain causes or principles just smacks of hypocrisy.
Secondly, the constant demonising of DAP only highlights a racist mindset. It is argued that by working with this party is a betrayal to the Malays and by extension, their religion. There is nothing sacred and holy about prejudice and bigotry. It is hoped more Malaysians will stop being swayed by such dangerous rhetoric.
Last but not least, to claim to be defenders of a faith is a dangerous game to play. Suffice to say no one ends looking good, especially in the context of domestic politics when it seems everyone is guilty of betraying previously stated principles. – July 31, 2025
Main image credit: China Press; MalaysiaGazette
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