ALOR SETAR: Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s comment that those performing the pilgrimage through the Prime Minister-1MDB Foundation Special Hajj Programme will not attain “haji mabrur” (divinely accepted Hajj) is seen as an act of political desperation, to the extent of using religion.
Kedah Menteri Besar Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah said Dr Mahathir, who was prime minister for 22 years, should not have made such a statement, as only Allah could evaluate a person’s religious practice as acceptable or not.
“It’s not our task to evaluate… as humans, we just focus on the religious obligations… do not use this issue for personal interest,” he said after a visit to Sekolah Kebangsaan Mergong here today.
Dr Mahathir had allegedly made the remark during a ceramah (public talk) at Taman Wira Mergong recently that not attaining haji mabrur was purportedly because of the “haram” (forbidden) Hajj programme sponsorship money. He said this money had been stolen by Prime Minister Najib Razak from 1MDB.