Sedition probe into Pahang Mufti initiated

KUALA LUMPUR: Police have begun an investigation for sedition against Pahang Mufti Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman (pix) for allegedly making a hurtful and inflammatory "kafir harbi" comment against non-Muslims last week.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said today the probe was initiated following two police reports that were lodged against Abdul Rahman here and in Penang on Sunday.
He said police will investigate Abdul Rahman and submit the findings to the Attorney-General for further action.
"I hope the various quarters who are making all sorts of comments linking the Mufti's statement with attacks by the Islamic State and other matters to put a stop to all this. It is not good for a multi-racial and multi-religious country.
"This is a sensitive matter. In this holy month of Ramadan we are advised not to speak much and say things that are hurtful to others. So it's best to not say or make comments that can hurt the feelings of other races. Many have asked me why I have kept my silence, it's because of the Ramadan month. We just do our work and when we have enough statements recorded, we will do the necessary." he said.
Khalid added comments by the Council of Churches of Malaysia in news reports claiming that he had said that police will not take action on the case is untrue.
"This is a lie by the CCM. Please do not slander and make such untrue comments in this holy month of Ramadan. I had never made any comments prior to this. Enough of views and comments made on this case. It is not proper to blow up the issue which can only cause friction in the country," he said.
Abdul Rahman had called the DAP and those opposing Islam "kafir harbi", allegedly implying that they can be "slain for objecting to Islamic policies".
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister's Office in a statement today said the statement by Abdul Rahman was a mere opinion which became controversial after it was allegedly distorted by certain quarters.
"The Cabinet is of the view that the statement by the mufti was merely an opinion.
"The mufti's actual statement meant that kafir harbi must be opposed instead of waging war against it," the PMO said in a statement.
The statement also said that the mufti's comment was not a religious edict and that any official fatwa must go through the fatwa council.
"The government hopes this statement can put the people's restlessness at ease, particularly among non-Muslims in the interest of safeguarding harmony and national security in the country," it said.