GEORGE TOWN, July 23 — Incensed Penang government leaders challenged today the country’s former Chief Justice Tun Abdul Hamid Mohamad to furnish evidence to back his claim that Islam is under siege.

The Muslim representatives in the state Pakatan Rakyat (PR) ruling coalition pointed out that under their administration, Penang mosques and other Islamic religious centres, including schools, have received a boost in funds to enable them to carry out more religious activities for their followers.

“I’m amazed with such an assumption and I have proof that Islam is at its prime in Penang when under PR,” Datuk Abdul Malik Abul Kassim told a news conference here.

“It is absurd to say that it is very hard to get allocations as our allocations for Islamic programmes and activities keep increasing every year,” the state executive councillor in charge of religious affairs added.

Abdul Hamid had claimed, on a recent website posting, that a former Penang mufti told him it was hard to get allocations for Islamic activities in Penang.

Abdul Malik pointed out that the allocations for the state Islamic Affairs Department have increased by more than 300 per cent since PR took over the state administration from the previous Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition following the 2008 election.

In 2008, the BN state government had allocated a total of RM25.49 million for Islamic religious activities.

After PR took over, the annual budget grew to RM 35.78 million (2009), RM 37.85 million (2010), RM63.21 million (2011), RM64.03 million (2012), RM54.55 million (2013) and RM51.17 million (2014).

Abdul Malik said the state PR government had also initiated several funds for groups side-lined by the previous BN administration, including for Islamic religious teachers, Islamic religious schools, and even provided monetary incentives for the hufaz, those who have memorised the Quran.

“Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng was repeatedly attacked by Gerakan for side-lining other religions and races with the large allocations for Islamic religious events but here, Abdul Hamid is claiming Islam is under threat,” he said.

Another state executive councillor Dr Afif Bahardin also chided the retired judge for spreading “slander and lies” about Penang’s efforts for the Muslim community.

“We can all see that the mosques in Penang are packed with activities and events,” he told the same news conference.

Both Dr Afif and Abdul Malik accused Abdul Hamid of trying to stir up religious tension in Penang and demanded the ex-judge retract his statement and apologise.

Abdul Malik invited Abdul Hamid to visit Penang and see for himself the upgrades to facilities enjoyed by the state Muslim community, including a brand-spanking new complex for the state Shariah Court.

In a separate statement, the ex-judge had criticised the recital of prayers by Christian and Hindu priests alongside an imam, arguing it showed non-Muslims in Penang were demanding their religions be accorded equal status with Islam, the religion of the Malaysian federation.

Abdul Malik called the argument ridiculous.

“I’m offended by such allegations. I am shocked that a former Chief Justice could talk like this. If this comes from Perkasa or Isma, I would have expected it,” he said, referring to vocal Malay-Muslim groups that have proclaimed themselves champions of Islam.

In a separate news conference, state Deputy Chief Minister II P. Ramasamy acknowledged that several prayer sessions had been held for the foundation-laying ceremony of the Penang Indian Association on February 10.

However, he said the event was organised by the Penang Indian Association, which had members of religions other than Islam, adding that Natural Resources and Environment Minister G.Palanivel had been present and not raised a fuss.

“What is wrong with having several different prayers? Why is he so narrow-minded?” Ramasamy asked, referring to the ex-judge.

“In fact, I think it is a fantastic thing for all religions to come together,” he added.