Amanah defends Dr M’s remarks on pilgrims
Lawmaker questions criticism by Pahang mufti and deputy minister for Islamic Affairs
(FMT) – An Amanah lawmaker has defended Dr Mahathir Mohamad for saying pilgrims sponsored by 1MDB would find their Hajj “tidak mabrur” (not accepted).
In a statement, Kuala Terengganu MP Raja Kamarul Bahrin Shah Ahmad said two years ago he questioned why 1MDB funds were being invested in Cayman Islands where proceeds from drugs and gambling and other illicit funds are kept in the islands’ offshore banks.
“Are these funds used by 1MDB to sponsor pilgrims? The government’s response was unclear except that the funds were invested in ‘short term investments’.
“If something is haram (forbidden) it will remain haram regardless of whether it is short-term or not, as there are other halal investment options.”
Raja Kamarul was responding to the statements of Pahang Mufti Abdul Rahman Osman and that of deputy minister in the prime minister’s department, Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, for their criticisms of Dr Mahathir for his controversial remarks on pilgrims
Asyraf had said Dr Mahathir should not try to play God as only God could decide if a pilgrim’s Hajj was accepted. Rahman echoed similar sentiments and added the source of funds did not have any bearing on whether a pilgrim’s Hajj was accepted.
Raja Kamarul said it was unfair for Asyraf and Rahman to criticise Dr Mahathir.
“Don’t be biased to the point you miss the bigger picture. Islam requires us to always be fair.”
Since 2011, Yayasan 1MDB has sponsored mosque committee members to perform the Hajj.
In 2011, a total of 111 pilgrims from around the country were sent to perform their Hajj. In 2012, this number increased to 400, in 2013 it was 800, in 2014 it was 1,000 and last year, 1,200 pilgrims were sponsored.
In 2016, some 150 people, including imams were sponsored.