KUALA LUMPUR — In a thinly-veiled reference to critics, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak told Malaysian Muslims today (July 2) that instigators and slanderers will not be guaranteed a spot in heaven no matter how pious they may be.
“Even if you never miss your prayers, but you are an instigator, slanderous, inciteful and cause disunity, you will not be guaranteed heaven,” Mr Najib said, citing a hadith, or prophetic tradition, that promised heaven to those who can respect each other. He was speaking at a charity event today.
“And carrying a big badge on your chest will also not guarantee you paradise,” Mr Najib added smilingly, a statement seemingly made against his political foes.
Mr Najib has come under pressure in recent months, with former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad actively campaigning for his resignation.
Dr Mahathir has claimed that Barisan Nasional, the ruling coalition, would lose the next general elections if Mr Najib remains its leader.
Dr Mahathir has also repeatedly criticised Mr Najib’s handling of the state investment firm 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), especially over its reported RM42 billion (S$15 billion) debt. Mr Najib, who is also Finance Minister, is chairman of the firm’s advisory board.
Dr Mahathir has called Mr Najib’s handling of the 1MDB issue “verging on criminal” during an interview with the New York Times that was published in mid-June and at a forum last month,
Dr Mahathir called for the people to “acknowledge the crime that is happening here”.
1MDB is currently being investigated by the Auditor-General and the bipartisan parliamentary Public Accounts Committee over its dealings.
Mr Najib has steadfastly refused to resign and accused Dr Mahathir of making “insinuations, speaking half-truths, cracking misleading jokes and twisting statements to make his views exciting and palatable”, he wrote in a blog post dated June 12.
“It is a shame that Dr Mahathir has, yet again, turned against the leadership of his own party. These public attacks will only harm UMNO, the government and ultimately Malaysia.
“This unbecoming behaviour will be an unfortunate postscript to his legacy,” Mr Najib wrote, referring to the United Malays National Organisation.
Source: www.todayonline.com
