Our revered sultans have spoken, everyone! While they rarely dabble in the country’s politics, these royals who hold a special place in our hearts and are the official guardians of the Islamic faith in Malaysia have recently gathered to issue a joint statement.
Source: NST
According to Business Times, the nine state sultans of Malaysia expressed concern after the issue of the “Muslim-only” laundrettes found in Johor and Perlis went viral recently. In a rare statement signed by keeper of the ruler’s seal Syed Danial Syed Ahmad on October 10, the sultans have backed the Johor and Perlis rulers who condemned the owners of the laundrettes.
They are concerned about the “divisive actions” that are apparently done for Islam and are afraid that there will be growing intolerance in Malaysia.
Here’s the full statement:
Source: Today Online
The statement was issued just a day before the 247th Conference of Rulers Meeting in Malaysia where the nine heads of state gathered to discuss important issues. The sultans also stressed in their statement that the people should respect the Federal Constitution and Rukun Negara, which decrees that the diverse religions and ethnicities in Malaysia should be respected. Thank you, sultans!
The sultans issued the statement expressing their support and endorsing the strong stance that the Johor and Perlis royals have taken against the laundrettes.
Source: the Sun Daily
FMT reported that Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar told the owner that he would not tolerate such behaviour and said, “I cannot accept this nonsense. This is Johor, which belongs to Bangsa Johor and it belongs to all races and faiths. This is a progressive, modern and moderate state. This is not a Taliban state and as the Head of Islam in Johor, I find this action to be totally unacceptable as this is extremist in nature.”
The owners of the Perlis and Johor laundrettes removed the signs after being reprimanded from both royals. However, the controversy didn’t end there because Zamihan Mat Zin, an official with the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (JAKIM), allegedly criticised the Johor sultan for making such remarks.
Source: The Star
He said that the sultan should not have interfered to make such statements in a viral YouTube video and also insinuated that non-Muslims were “unclean”. His comments got him into trouble and he has since been arrested under the Sedition Act.
Let’s continue keeping our multiracial and multicultural Malaysia a beautiful and harmonious country, fellow Malaysians! 😀
Also read: Chinese Lady Asking Malay Neighbour’s Permission Shows How Harmonious Living Should Be
