Malaysian GE: Okay to vote non-Muslims, but PM, defence minister must stay Muslims, says mufti

KUALA LUMPUR — Muslims in Federal Territories (FT) were told on Wednesday (April 11) that voting for non-believers in the upcoming general election is permissible by the religion.

However, FT mufti Zulkifli Mohamad said “top posts” such as the prime minister and defence minister must continue to be held by Muslims.

“The initial rule for voting for non-Muslims in the election and appointing them as leaders is ‘harus’,” he wrote in an explainer article published on his office’s website, using the local Muslim term that means “permissible”.

Mr Zulkifli said the only factors that should curb adherents from voting non-Muslims are when such a move would threaten the sanctity of Islam, and if the leaders are untrustworthy or incompetent.

“All these factors should be taken into account in making the decision before voting and choosing, except when ensuring that the country’s top posts such as prime minister, Islamic affairs portfolio, and national defence remain to be held by qualified Muslims only,” he added.

In the writing, Mr Zulkifli admitted that there were Islamic scriptures saying it is forbidden for Muslims to vote non-Muslims, but clarified that they were only directed at those who hold enmity towards the religion.

“For non-Muslims who are not hostile towards Islam and obey the Federal Constitution that specifies Islam as the religion of the federation, the prohibition does not apply,” he wrote.

Last year, Mr Abdul Hadi Awang from the Islamist party Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) had caused furore for suggesting that his proposed Cabinet would bar non-Muslims from key leadership positions that involve policy-making.

PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man had later asserted that Mr Hadi had not said he wanted an “all-Malay Cabinet” and reportedly claimed that the latter’s remarks had been twisted by others.

Following Mr Hadi’s article, leaders from the federal Opposition pact Pakatan Harapan had criticised the idea of pushing for an all-Malay Cabinet as being irrational and discriminatory, while DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng had also described such a proposal as being racist, extremist and unconstitutional.

Mr Hadi had on several occasions last year said that Muslims should control Malaysian politics because its adherents make up the majority of the country's population, and Malay-Muslims should rule since they are the dominant group.

Malaysians will vote in the 14th general election on May 9. THE MALAY MAIL ONLINE