Dr M says his ‘Islamic country’ declaration means he is not like DAP

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad reminded the public that he had declared Malaysia an Islamic country in 2001 when he was still the prime minister, amid an uproar from Pakatan Rakyat (PR) over the declaration by Umno-aligned religious scholars that it was haram, or forbidden, for Muslims to support the secular DAP because it opposed Islamic rule.

Dr Mahathir also told reporters today that his opposition to hudud, which provides for harsh penalties for crimes such as the amputation of hands for theft, should also not be equated to that of the DAP.

“It is a question of hudud as interpreted by PAS ... that we cannot support.

“But I have declared Malaysia an Islamic country ... foreign countries also recognize us as an Islamic country,” he said in response to questions about DAP being declared haram.

What say you DAP?