The articles which appeared in the New Straits Times (NST) and Berita Harian (BH) alleged that Lim wanted to change the state mufti after the religious leader had enforced a law which banned non-Muslims from using the word “Allah” and 39 other words, deemed exclusive to Muslims.
Lim warned today that the two newspapers would be slapped with a defamation suit if they did not retract the article and apologise within the next 48 hours.
The reports in both newspapers quoted Penang PAS Youth chief Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden as saying Lim had not renewed the contract of mufti Hassan Ahmad in 2014 over the said law.
Lim today told reporters that NST and BH had lied before on many matters, but he chose to ignore them until this issue was brought to light.
“But this is a big issue, playing up racial sentiments to cover up failures of BN and PAS.
“I want to stress that I am not involved in the appointment of the mufti as this is a proposal by Datuk Malik after getting the views of (former opposition leader) Anwar Ibrahim,” Lim said, refering to State Islamic Affairs committee chairman Datuk Abdul Malik Abul Kassim.
The Sunday edition of BH dated Feb 5 said “Kerajaan DAP campur tangan lantik mufti, fatwa” (DAP government meddles in appointment of mufti, edict), while the New Sunday Times on the same day, had this heading: “Political intervention was real, says PAS — Guan Eng had hand in non-renewal of mufti’s contract”.
Both newspapers quoted Afnan from his Facebook status.
Meanwhile, Malik said former mufti Hasan had his contract renewed four times after the state law was enacted.
“For matters related to appointments of mufti, I received advice directly from Anwar. Besides Anwar, we also rely on the suggestions from the Penang Islamic Council.
“There is no meddling by the chief minister,” Malik said.
The Penang assembly had passed a state law in 2010, banning the use of 40 words by non-Muslims, under Section 48(3) and (4) of the Penang Islamic Religious Administration Enactment 2004.
However, an official from the state Mufti’s department said there has been no action taken against anyone under this law in Penang so far.