Penang State Executive Councillor Abdul Malik Abul Kassim said today that Rahman’s insidious statement ought to be retracted immediately to not further harm Malaysia’s harmonious race relations.

“The statement was made in a personal capacity which was not based on fatwa and Islamic law, he has to apologise openly.

“The State Government will consider follow-up action, if Rahman continues to hold on to the statement, which is way off the mark from Islamic teachings.

“He has sown racial and religious hatred in the country,” Malik said at a press conference in Komtar.

He declined to elaborate when asked what he meant by “follow-up action”.

Last week, Rahman caused a stir when he said it was a big sin to be working with the DAP, who are kafir harbi, or infidels who are enemies of Islam, and can therefore be slain.

Malik, who is Penang Islamic affairs committee chairman, said Rahman’s statement was most irresponsible coming from a high ranking cleric.

“His statement has disgraced Islam,” he said, adding: “Most muftis are of the feeling that non-Muslims are categorised as kafir zimmi, not kafir harbi as preached by Rahman.”

A non-Muslim subject in an Islamic state is called zimmi (derived from ‘zimma’meaning ‘responsibility’) meaning a subject whose life, honour and property will be protected by the Islamic State.