[UPDATED] Muslim ‘fanatics’ have high religious tolerance: Shahidan

KUALA LUMPUR – Muslim “fanatics” tend to be “good people” with higher tolerance of people following other religions, according to Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim (Arau-PN).

Shahidan told the Dewan Rakyat today that PAS-held states – Kelantan, Terengganu and Kedah – enjoy harmony, and that this is proof of how a party based on principles derived from Islam allows leniency for non-Muslims to practise their beliefs. 

“People who are Islamic fanatics are good; they do not disturb anyone else. 

“For example, the longest sleeping Buddha statue is in Kelantan. Has it ever been disturbed?” said the former Umno lawmaker.

“The religious tolerance among Islamic fanatics is indeed very high. I myself am one. I have worn my songkok then and I will always wear it,” he said when debating Budget 2023 today. 

He added that “problems” only begin to arise when Muslims declare themselves as liberals, saying: “Liberal (ideals are) not an Islamic way of thinking.”

Shahidan, who defended the Arau constituency on a PAS ticket in the 15th general election in November, also drew a distinction between race-based parties and “racist” parties. He said the latter should be dissolved. 

“Race-based parties are fine, but racist parties must be disbanded,” he said, and went on to poke former fellow Umno colleagues.

He said that they are behaving more like DAP figures after Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan formed the unity government.

“After Umno joined DAP (to form a unity government), they (Umno) act more like DAP (members) than the latter’s (DAP) own people,” he said, to rousing cheers from opposition backbenchers. 

Shouting match after Shahidan calls Hulu Langat MP ‘monkey’

Interrupting Shahidan at several intervals was Mohd Sany Hamzan (Hulu Langat-PH), who loudly teased him about supposedly having ambitions to become PAS deputy president. 

In response, Shahidan said the Amanah MP displayed “behaviour worse than a monkey (kera),”.

Sany retorted: “Arau should be showing a good example to first-time MPs like myself, but instead he is using words like ‘monkey’. Speaker, please have him retract his statement,” Sany said.

A shouting match began in the Dewan Rakyat as opposition MPs jumped to Shahidan’s defense. 

Mohd Misbahul Munir Masduki (Parit Buntar-PN) told Sany to “change (his) attitude”. The latter lost his cool and shouted that the matter was between him and Shahidan. 

Subsequently, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Johari Abdul chastised the arguing MPs, saying: “I want to see how many of you will continue to shout. Go ahead, the people are watching. 

“Arau, did you say any unparliamentary words to Hulu Langat? If you (Shahidan) are truly an Islamic individual, you will tell me the truth,” Johari said, to which Shahidan said that he had “pure intentions” when he uttered the words. 

“I did not mean (that)…the intention in my heart was pure without any bad assumptions…I just said that (Sany) should not behave like a monkey,” he said, causing Johari to determine the “case closed.” – The Vibes, March 1, 2023