Personal attacks not the way of campaigning in Islam - Nik Omar
SAIFULLAH AHMAD
IPOH - Islam does not endorse election campaigns by personal attacks towards opponents.
Central Amanah committee member Nik Omar Nik Abdul Aziz said that the campaign should be done to convince the people of one's manifesto if they win.
He said it was up to the people to evaluate and choose which party to vote for based on their confidence in the offer made by a party or candidate.
"Everyone has the right to choose, so if we choose A, we do not unethically attack B. That is not allowed in Islam even though the brand we intend to carry is a good one called Islam but if we fill it with slander, propaganda, and sentiment, it is not good.
"These political and main leaders from any party must have respect for themselves as well as their opponents.
“We do not need to use insulting terms. It's inappropriate," he told reporters after completing the launch of Ustaz Sulam's book: Sebuah Potret Ulama Kampung dan Pembangunan Nasional (A Portrait of Rural Scholars and National Development) at a shopping centre, here, on Wednesday night.
Parit Buntar Member of Parliament Misbahul Munir Masduki and the author Muhaimin Sulam were also present at the event.
Meanwhile, Nik Omar said that the recent prosecution of a political leader was a lesson that everyone should be more careful when making statements.
"In any case, we have to accept that our democratic country has a constitution and that the royal institution is in a high position that needs to be respected.
"Even if we are dissatisfied, perhaps we have a better channel to give our opinion," he said.
In regard to his candidacy in the state polls, Omar said that he has no intention to contest this time as he had just moved to Selangor.
He said opportunities should be given to new faces who have more potential to win the election.
