No place in heaven for slanderers, agents provocateur, PM reminds Muslims
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| Datuk Seri Najib Razak speaks during a ceremony to distribute cloth and other essentials to the needy during the Ramadan month, at the National Mosque, Kuala Lumpur, June 21, 2015. — Picture by Choo |
By Syed Jaymal Zahiid
July 2, 2015
SERDANG — As the fasting month of Ramadan kicks in, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak told Malaysian Muslims today that their prayers will not guarantee them a spot in paradise after death if they commit slander and cause disunity among their community.
In a reminder of Islam’s key teachings, Najib cited a hadith that promised heaven to those who can respect each other.
“Even if you never miss your prayers, but you are an instigator, slanderous, inciteful and cause disunity, you will not be guaranteed heaven,” Najib said in his speech after handing Aidilfitri donations at a charity event here.
“And carrying a big badge on your chest will also not guarantee you paradise,” he added smilingly, a statement seemingly made against his political foes.
Najib’s leadership has been dogged by several major controversies like the RM42 billion 1Malaysia Development Bhd scandal, which has become a central point to a concerted campaign by the opposition and those from within his own party to push for his resignation.
The prime minister’s family members have also been targeted in the corruption allegations.
Najib has vehemently denied the claims, calling the attacks slanderous.
Pointing to the ethnic Rohingya refugees fleeing persecution from their homeland Myanmar, the Pekan MP said today that these immigrants appeared to be more appreciative of Malaysia than some Malaysians themselves.
“The Rohingyas risk their lives to come here and when they arrive here they bow to kiss this land, to show how appreciative they are.
“But we locals go and tarnish the country’s reputation. Instead we are the ones unaware (of we have). We are not grateful that we live in a peaceful and prosperous country,” he said.
A February poll released by Merdeka Centre saw Najib’s popularity rating dropped to 44 per cent in 2014, and analysts believe the prime minister would fare worse now after the 1MDB scandal blew up earlier this year.
The backlash worsened after his government introduced the unpopular Goods and Services Tax in April, causing inflation to skyrocket while Malaysians were already paying high prices for goods due to the depreciating ringgit.
