State Islamic Religious Affairs Committee Chairman Abdul Malik Abul Kassim said, in the spirit of Ramadan, it was a good time to forgive each other and let bygones be bygones.

“Apology accepted. Just one thing I would like to stress: Parties like PAS and other (detractors), please do not go out slandering us like this.

“In Islam, fitnah (slander) is worse than murder,” he said at a press conference in Komtar today.

Malik called those who wanted to criticise something or someone to investigate thoroughly before making any statement that could be detrimental to religious harmony.

Shaharuddin was alleged to have said: “Kalau DAP menguasai negara…nuu Pulau Pinang tuan-tuan, bang (azan) dah tak boleh dah, bang (azan) tak boleh dah, tuan tuan!” during a sermon at Masjid An-Najah, Padang Serai, Kedah.

(If DAP controls the country, let alone Penang, gentlemen, the sounding of the call for prayer will not be possible, gentlemen.)

Yesterday, Shaharuddin told Sinar Harian that he was sorry for making the remark.

“I do not want to prolong the issue and would like to humbly say I am sorry, especially to the DAP,” he was quoted as saying.