Sanusi should resign over 'befriending with the devil' remarks, insists Mahfuz

ALOR STAR: Amanah vice-president Datuk Mahfuz Omar today insisted that Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor resign as the Menteri Besar for uttering remarks insulting Islam.

Mahfuz claimed that Sanusi, who is also the state Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman, had gone overboard when the latter described Barisan Nasional (BN) supporters "are befriending with the devil" to face the upcoming state election.

"Such remarks comparing the stoning of the devil during haj pilgrimage with state election is absolutely unacceptable.

"I am urging Islamic religious authorities to take a firm action against this unacceptable behaviour by the Menteri Besar who had said BN supporters went to Makkah to stone the devil but upon returning home, they befriended the devil.

"To me this is a very rude remark by a Menteri Besar. I hereby call for Sanusi to step down as the Menteri Besar," he told a press conference at the state Amanah headquarters here today.

Mahfuz, who is also the state Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman said Sanusi's remarks had painted a bad picture on Islam as a religion besides smearing the image of the royal institution especially the Sultan of Kedah, Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah as the head of Islamic religion in the state.

He was responding to Sanusi's remarks made during a ceramah in Sekinchan, Selangor last week, which went viral on social media.

In his speech, Sanusi had said the state election would be held after Hari Raya Aidil Adha to allow haj pilgrims to return from Saudi Arabia.

He had then spoken about the irony of BN supporters who stoned the devil while performing haj but upon returning home, they befriended the devil in the upcoming state election.

Commenting further, Mahfuz said Sanusi should emulate Sik Pas Youth chief who had resigned from his post after stirring up a controversy during the 15th General Election (GE15) campaign in November.

Mohd Shahiful Mhd Nasir was heavily criticised over his remarks that those who voted for BN and PN would end up in hell.

He has since apologised for the remarks and announced that he was taking a break from his duties for the party and subsequently resigned from the post.

Mahfuz also urged the religious authorities to investigate all political "fatwa" issued by Pas leaders during and after the GE15.

"They are using religion to pursue their political ambition and this is very unhealthy as they can create disharmony among the Muslims as well as our multi-religious society," he said.

He stressed that stern action must be taken to prevent Pas leaders from continuing to make "religious fatwa" during the upcoming state election which is due to be held by July.