KUALA LUMPUR, June 24 — Foreign meddling in the internal affairs of Malaysia will cause disharmony and disrupt peace like what happened in Arab countries, said several local mufitis.

They shared the view that foreign interference like the civil action by the United States’ Department of Justice (DoJ) relating to 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) did not benefit the country and only served to disrupt the harmony that has been built all this while.

Pahang mufti Datuk Seri Dr Abdul Rahman Osman said those who wanted foreigners to interfere in the affairs of Malaysia were traitors because they had ulterior motives, which was to disrupt the peace and harmony the people have been enjoying all along.

“It is very strange indeed and something that cannot be accepted that there are Malaysians inviting foreigners to destroy the country. This is traitorous, wanting the country to be re-colonised.

“How can, in a family, we bring in outsiders separate the husband and wife, cause the family to descend into chaos,” he said when contacted by Bernama today.

He was commenting on the open letter by PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang addressed to all political parties today, which opposed foreign hands meddling in the internal affairs of the country, including 1MDB.

Among others, Abdul Hadi said history had taught that foreign interference in the internal affairs of a country would also bring about disasters.

Abdul Rahman said in fact Islam itself demanded Muslims to assist in doing good and not to assist in sinning to create conflicts and enmity.

In this regard, Melaka mufti Datuk Abdul Halim Tawil viewed Abdul Hadi’s statement as appropriate as the responsibility to preserve the country’s sovereignty, peace and stability rested in the hands of its people.

He said the country’s current administrative system was strong enough to protect the interests of Malaysia, and therefore did not need meddling by foreign parties.

“I am also asking all quarters not to disseminate embellished news... today foreign media are taking the opportunity when matters involving our interests are being embellished abroad and obviously many parties will capitalise on such dubious matters,” he said.

Abdul Halim also said political parties and Malaysians should practise the concept of ‘tabayyun’ that is to examine, analyse and study a certain matter carefully as to what had happened before deciding on taking further actions.

DoJ filed the civil suit to recover the assets which alleged to have been acquired with stolen 1MDB funds.        

Meanwhile, Perak mufti Tan Sri Dr Harussani Zakaria hit out at irresponsible parties seeking foreign assistance in the 1MDB issue and labelled them as immoral and unpatriotic.

Harussani said all parties should take a lesson from conflicts taking place in other regions, as he feared such meddling would be detrimental to the country as happened to other nations.

Such dangerous actions should stop as it would not benefit anybody, he said.

Harussani said parties which dragged in foreigners to meddle in the internal issues of Malaysia had their own agenda and personal interests and advised Malaysians not to be fooled by their acts.

Federal Territory mufti Datuk Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri said the issue of 1MDB should be resolved internally.

“We are confident there are common areas between those who agree and those who disagree.

“This issue should be settled internally and within this country itself.    

Zulkifli said accusing without clear facts was against Islamic rules.

“We should join hands and be on the same side to defend the country as patriotism symbolises a person’s faith,” he added. — Bernama