Dr Mahathir does not see reasons why the surau that housed other faiths need to be demolished.
SRI KEMBANGAN: There is no reason to demolish the surau which housed a group of meditating Buddhists, Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today.
The former prime minister made this statement in response to the Johor state government’s decision to demolish the surau, as it had hosted other religious activities.
However, Dr Mahathir defended Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s decision to strip the permanent resident status of the Singaporean resort owner who allowed the group to use the surau.
“The government reserves the right to (revoke the man’s PR status). But the demolishing of the surau is different,” he said at his Aidilfitri open house here.
Dr Mahathir then added it was better to comply with the wishes of the residents in the area, who reportedly demanded that the surau be demolished.
Last week, Johor Islamic religious council (MAIJ) advisor Nooh Gadut reportedly said that if such a sacred place had knowingly been used for activities outside the Islamic faith, it should be torn down.
He also said that the surau was not built towards the qiblat, and was “300 kilometres off” the direction of Mecca’s holy ground.
Yesterday, Zahid Hamidi announced that the PR status of the resort owner was revoked in accordance with provisions of the law on the grounds that the latter was “insensitive to Muslims and Islam”.
Umno veterans driving away young talent
Dr Mahathir also claimed that veteran Umno leaders were driving away young talent due to their dislike for “people who are more capable than them”.
“Umno members do not like people who are more capable than their leaders… (They are) afraid that they will lose their positions,” he said.
“So people with calibre do not get to enter Umno,” he added.
Dr Mahathir lamented that these young talents – including doctors, lawyers, and engineers – were now being recruited by PAS, as “all of them are not allowed to enter Umno”.
“Even retirees who are capable don’t get to join Umno,” he said.
“Many of them choose to join opposition parties.”
Earlier today, Mahathir made a pitch in an open letter urging the Malays to stay with Umno as it is the only party that can ensure the race profits.
However, he also acknowledged that Umno is plagued by corruption, namely rampant money politics that have benefited the political careers and financial standing of certain politicians.
SRI KEMBANGAN: There is no reason to demolish the surau which housed a group of meditating Buddhists, Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today.The former prime minister made this statement in response to the Johor state government’s decision to demolish the surau, as it had hosted other religious activities.
However, Dr Mahathir defended Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s decision to strip the permanent resident status of the Singaporean resort owner who allowed the group to use the surau.
“The government reserves the right to (revoke the man’s PR status). But the demolishing of the surau is different,” he said at his Aidilfitri open house here.
Dr Mahathir then added it was better to comply with the wishes of the residents in the area, who reportedly demanded that the surau be demolished.
Last week, Johor Islamic religious council (MAIJ) advisor Nooh Gadut reportedly said that if such a sacred place had knowingly been used for activities outside the Islamic faith, it should be torn down.
He also said that the surau was not built towards the qiblat, and was “300 kilometres off” the direction of Mecca’s holy ground.
Yesterday, Zahid Hamidi announced that the PR status of the resort owner was revoked in accordance with provisions of the law on the grounds that the latter was “insensitive to Muslims and Islam”.
Umno veterans driving away young talent
Dr Mahathir also claimed that veteran Umno leaders were driving away young talent due to their dislike for “people who are more capable than them”.
“Umno members do not like people who are more capable than their leaders… (They are) afraid that they will lose their positions,” he said.
“So people with calibre do not get to enter Umno,” he added.
Dr Mahathir lamented that these young talents – including doctors, lawyers, and engineers – were now being recruited by PAS, as “all of them are not allowed to enter Umno”.
“Even retirees who are capable don’t get to join Umno,” he said.
“Many of them choose to join opposition parties.”
Earlier today, Mahathir made a pitch in an open letter urging the Malays to stay with Umno as it is the only party that can ensure the race profits.
However, he also acknowledged that Umno is plagued by corruption, namely rampant money politics that have benefited the political careers and financial standing of certain politicians.
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