This followed a report earlier today where a Jakim officer, Zamihan Mat Zin, criticised Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar for ordering a laundrette to cease its Muslim-only policy in Muar, Johor, last month.
During a religious talk at Masjid Tengku Ampuan Jemaah in Shah Alam on Sunday, Zamihan had said the order was not acceptable.
Speaking to FMT, Zaid said Zamihan’s harsh language was grounds for Umno ministers to take action, pointing out in particular that Jamil Khir Baharom was not only an Umno minister but also the head of Jakim.
“You cannot talk to the rulers like that,” he said. “Even if you disagree with them, you have to show some respect.
“Either ministers or the Jakim director-general should respond. Otherwise, it’s very embarrassing because, number one, it shows a lack of respect and, number two, it shows stupidity.
“We should not tolerate this kind of comments from a civil servant.”
Zaid said he felt Zamihan’s comments showed stupidity because he had claimed that non-Muslims and the Chinese, in particular, were unclean on the basis that they used toilet paper after using the toilet.
“It’s a stupid statement and it’s very embarrassing for you to say Chinese are dirty just because they use toilet paper.”
Zamihan had made the comments in a video recording of a lecture.
“What about the menstrual blood in their undergarments? They hug dogs, drink alcohol and that alcohol drips onto their clothes. They eat pork.
“All these activities are associated with them,” he said.
International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) lecturer Maszlee Malik said Zamihan, who is also Pertubuhan Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah Malaysia (Aswaja) president, had not only shown disrespect towards the sultan as the head of Islam in Johor, but was paving the way towards extremism and polarisation.
“Zamihan’s comments are based on preconceived assumptions about non-Muslims as a result of the lack of engagement between him and his like with non-Muslims,” he told FMT.
“It is not at all what Islam teaches us in the Quran or sayings of the Prophet.
“I’m afraid the brand of Islam Zamihan and his Aswaja are trying to preach will definitely undermine the ‘Bangsa Johor’ vision encouraged by the sultan.”