Perlis Mufti Denies Joining PKR

Perlis Mufti Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin has denied talk he has joined Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) or other political parties as he wants to remain apolitical.

"At this point of time it has not crossed my mind to join any political party but instead wants to remain apolitical without being aligned to any party. I think there are already enough members in the party. I don't want to be seen as a spoiler," he told reporters after appearing as a panelist in a forum entitled "Premier Discourse -- Pakatan Rakyat 100th Day Administration".

His participation in the forum, jointly hosted by the state government and the Kota Baharu Municipal Council, fuelled talk he had joined PKR.

Dr Mohd Asri said he accepted the invitation to be a panel member at the forum as it was part of his duties as an Islamic preacher. "I've also attended similar events organised by others," he said.

"As a mufti, I cannot be involved in politics and be a member of any political party. I want to be at liberty to talk about the truth preached by Islam irrespective of the political ideology.

Refuting that his attendance at the forum signifies his support for the PKR-led alliance and opposed the federal government.

"It's not so, my attendance is merely to honour the invitation and to give my independent and neutral views and not to support any party," he said, admitting that he supported some policies of a certain party and opposed other policies as well. (Bernama)

***** It looks like in the present fluid political climate even muftis are not spared from rumours of 'defection' and support for the opposition.
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