KUALA LUMPUR (Islam Online) - Several royal family members of Malaysia have recently attacked the main Islamic party of Malaysia, PAS, accusing it of dividing the Muslims and promoting "despicable" anti-Islamic acts.
After the sultan of Pahang, a poor state bordering Terranganu, the king of Malaysia sided with the government of Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamed by launching a thinly veiled attack on Islamic political opponents as parliament began its first full session since last November's election.
The king, Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah, accused "certain parties" of resorting to actions against Islamic teachings - causing splits among Muslims and disharmony in the country. He did not elaborate on the issues that made him attack the Islamic party but his speech was clearly guided, albeit by remote control, by the government to reflect official policies and strategies.
The sultans of nine of the 15 states in Malaysia have no political powers and have been stripped of most of their heritage and possessions as well by Mahathir himself in the late 1980s. In some states, the move caused great strife between the prime minister and the sultans.
The sultans of Negeri Sembilan, Johor and Terrengannu are said to be in a different current and do not fully support the regime's draconian policies. Scuffles have occurred in these states involving the state governments and the rulers. Even the local mainstream media, which are pro-government, have been very critical of these rulers, urging them not be involved in politics.
The attack by the present King of Malaysia against the Islamic party is not surprising, as he is said to be very close to Mahathir. He helped Mahathir solve the problems raised by the former Mufti of the state of Selangor by forcing the latter to resign over a fight on the participation of Muslim women in beauty pageants.
The king's speech to open parliament traditionally closely reflects government policy, analysts said.
"Do not take to abusing knowledge, deviating religious teachings, spreading hate, slander, lies and other despicable acts prohibited by Islam just for the sake of personal and group interest," the king told MPs. "I hope the people will not be influenced by such repulsive and despicable acts."
The opposition has remained numb on the king's comments, probably preferring to keep Mahathir and his regime in their target.
The king, supporting the government on all its strategies, said the spreading of "sacrilegious fatwas" (decrees) that deviated from Islamic principles and the misuse of mosques was despicable and should be stopped immediately.
"Therefore I call upon all parties to be more responsible to preserve Islam's sanctity and the integrity of its followers," he said, without identifying any culprits.
Islam-Online previously reported on the threat of a Malaysian minister to put the Islamic party PAS through hell on earth, accusing it of issuing religious decrees promising heaven for its supporters and hell for opponents. PAS denied the charges and said it is ready to be challenged on these issues.
Meanwhile, the king preached a controllable kind of Islam, within the umbrella of the state. "The government in the new millennium will continue to expand all of such activities like the Islamic financial system, da'wah (preaching), health and education facilities," the king said.
He said the government would improve the understanding of Islam among the international community and contribute to unity and progress among Muslims. However it is unclear what Malaysia intends to do to promote Islam in the eyes of the international community while it is clearly suppressing the Islamic party within its own boundaries.
