As such, he said monuments with human forms like the Tugu Negara (National Monument), could be considered as “haram” in Islam.

This was so, he told Malaysiakini, as “in the hereafter, God would ask those responsible to give life to their creations”.

His comments come in the wake of views by his deputy, Zamri Hashim, that it was against Islamic precepts to portray living beings in monuments, alluding to the iconic eagle structure in Langkawi.

This brought a swift retort from MCA President Liow Tiong Lai that Malaysia, as a moderate government, should beware of extremism and fight efforts at “Talibanisation”.
Harussani further said holding ceremonies at the National Monument bordered on idolatry or idol worship.
“From the beginning, we did not agree (with Tugu Negara) as we are an Islamic country. Why are we worshiping monuments?”

Malaysiakini said Harussani felt the RM650 million beautification project, announced yesterday for Tugu Negara, was a waste of taxpayers’ funds.
He said the money should be used for the benefit of the people, like building houses for the poor.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Najib Razak said a 66-acre park will be developed around the National Monument. Much of the cost, RM500 million, will be borne by government investment arm, Khazanah Nasional.

Malaysiakini said previously Perlis Mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin had said that the National Fatwa Council had decided that the act of saluting at the National Monument was proscribed in Islam.