Frequent change of govt is against Islamic values, says Kelantan cleric
PETALING JAYA : A prominent religious scholar from Kelantan has expressed hope that the unity government under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim will remain until the end of its term.
Sheikh Wazir Che Awang Al-Makki Hafizahullah, deputy chairman of Jabhah Pondok Kelantan, warned that a frequent change of government was 'not in line with Islamic values'.
He said it could negatively affect the advancement of Islam and the economy.
He was believed to be responding to ongoing efforts by certain quarters – particularly the opposition – to topple the government through a rally scheduled for July 26.
Sheikh Wazir, who is adviser to Kesatuan Pondok Kelantan, said constant shifts in government disrupt the lives of ordinary people as well as the development of pondok schools and economic stability.
'In Malaysia, we get a new government every five years – sometimes every two, or even just one year.
'When policies keep changing, it weakens the pondok system and dampens the economy. This is not in line with Islamic values,' he said during a talk at Masjid Putra, Putrajaya, last night.
According to Sheikh Wazir, the large turnout at the religious gathering last night reflects strong support for Anwar, who has led the unity government since late 2022.
'God willing, all the challenges and obstacles facing our nation can be overcome.
'May the government led by Datuk Seri (Anwar) be preserved,' he said.
Yesterday, Anwar challenged his critics to table a vote of no confidence in the Dewan Rakyat if they wish to take over Putrajaya.
He called for those who want to topple the government to follow the proper process.
If they did not have the support in the Dewan Rakyat, he said, they must wait for the next general election instead of resorting to street demonstrations or inciting the public.
Perikatan Nasional (PN) has planned a 'Turun Anwar' mass rally for July 26 in Kuala Lumpur to push for Anwar's resignation. The organisers claim they expect up to 300,000 participants, although a similar protest in Shah Alam earlier this month drew just over 300.
Anwar also called for caution in responding to voices of hatred, including those from a handful of religious figures. However, he did not name them.
Former economy minister Rafizi Ramli has also said that Anwar should remain as prime minister until the end of his term to ensure political stability amid economic uncertainty
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Barnama
an hour ago
- Barnama
Malaysia To Ensure ASEAN Unite For Regional Stability And Peace
KUALA LUMPUR, July 29 (Bernama) -- Malaysia will ensure that ASEAN will be stronger and move in step or in tandem for global stability, prosperity and peace, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He said Malaysia is committed to driving the implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), accelerating the ASEAN Power Grid and finalising the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement to ensure an open, fair and sustainable economic future for the 660 million people in the region. "Therefore, ASEAN will continue to speak out, ensure harmony and lead with determination, and not just follow the global order," he said in a Facebook post today. The Prime Minister said the world is currently beset by great power tensions, a gruelling geo-economic race and the collapse of multilateralism. Anwar said in this regard, ASEAN must not weaken, divide and lag behind but must unite to strengthen ASEAN's role and ensure that the region's voice continues to be respected. For example, he said Malaysia as the 2025 ASEAN Chairman has led efforts to reconcile Cambodia and Thailand, two neighbouring countries that were almost dragged into a more serious conflict. "With the active involvement of China and the United States, we have succeeded in reaching an agreement on an immediate and unconditional ceasefire. "This is proof that diplomacy must underpin our efforts to embody peace and firm leadership," he said. Anwar, who is currently on a working visit to Indonesia, also announced that he was appearing for the first time at the ASEAN Secretariat Building based in Jakarta in conjunction with Malaysia's important role as ASEAN Chairman this year.
New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Netherlands bars two hardline Israeli ministers
AMSTERDAM: The Netherlands has declared Israel's finance and national security ministers persona non grata for inciting violence and urging ethnic cleansing in Gaza. In June, the Netherlands backed a failed Swedish proposal to impose EU sanctions on Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. "They repeatedly incited settler violence against Palestinians, promoted illegal settlement expansion, and called for ethnic cleansing in Gaza," Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp told parliament in a letter released late Monday. Smotrich responded on X, saying European leaders had succumbed to "the lies of radical Islam that is taking over" and "rising antisemitism." Ben-Gvir said he would continue to act for Israel, even if he was banned from entering "all of Europe." "In a place where terrorism is tolerated and terrorists are welcomed, a Jewish minister from Israel is unwanted, terrorists are free, and Jews are boycotted," he wrote on X. Veldkamp said the Netherlands wanted to "relieve the suffering of the population in Gaza" and was exploring further ways to contribute to humanitarian aid. "Airdrops of food are relatively expensive and risky," he said. "This is why the Netherlands is also taking steps to further support land-based aid delivery." Aid drops resumed in Gaza on Sunday as Israel announced temporary humanitarian pauses in parts of the besieged territory. Around 2.4 million Palestinians in Gaza are facing what UN aid agencies have warned is a deadly wave of starvation and malnutrition. The UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification Initiative (IPC) said on Tuesday that famine is unfolding across much of Gaza, with thresholds breached and over 20,000 children treated for acute malnutrition since April. Veldkamp said the Netherlands would push to suspend the trade element of the EU-Israel Association Agreement if Israel fails to meet its humanitarian obligations. "The summons will also be used to remind Israel to comply with its obligations under international humanitarian law," he said. After speaking by phone with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof said the government's position was "crystal clear." "The people of Gaza must be given immediate, unfettered, safe access to humanitarian aid," he said. Israel's foreign ministry said Foreign Affairs Minister Gideon Sa'ar had summoned the Dutch ambassador Marriët Schuurman to Jerusalem for a formal reprimand on Tuesday afternoon. "The conversation will take place in light of the Dutch government's decisions to take measures against Israel, including against its right to defend itself and against ministers in its government," the ministry said in a statement. The war in Gaza was sparked by Hamas's Oct 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, most of them civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. Israel's retaliatory campaign has killed 59,921 Palestinians, also mostly civilians, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory.
The Sun
3 hours ago
- The Sun
ASEAN as global peace model affirmed by Malaysia and Brunei
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and Brunei have voiced strong confidence in ASEAN's ability to remain a leading example of diplomacy and global peace. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim highlighted this during a phone discussion with Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah following his arrival at the ASEAN Secretariat Building in Jakarta. 'We touched on ASEAN as well as talking about efforts to reconcile Thailand and Cambodia, which agreed to unconditionally stop all forms of violence yesterday. 'God willing, we are confident that ASEAN will continue to be a model region in promoting diplomacy and global peace,' Anwar shared in a Facebook post. The breakthrough follows a special ASEAN meeting chaired by Anwar in Putrajaya, where Thailand and Cambodia agreed to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire to de-escalate border tensions. The meeting saw the participation of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. Key international stakeholders, including US Ambassador to Malaysia Edgard Kagan and Chinese Ambassador Ouyang Yujing, also attended. The US co-organised the session, while China observed in support of a peaceful resolution. The longstanding border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia spans 817 kilometres, with tensions escalating since late May after clashes near Preah Vihear claimed a Cambodian soldier's life. Renewed skirmishes on July 24 further strained relations before the ceasefire agreement. Anwar later proceeded to Jakarta for the 13th Annual Consultation with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. – Bernama
