The Malaysian Insight

POLICE reports have been lodged against website Malaysia Today for publishing an untrue article stating that the Finance Ministry has ordered all Malaysian Muslims to only perform the umrah to Mecca through the Pilgrim’s Fund Board (Tabung Haji).

In a statement today, the ministry said it has never issued such an order as alleged by Malaysia Today and in a Facebook post by the website’s owner, Raja Petra Kamarudin, on February 4.

“This false news is being distributed just to incite hatred and anger towards the minister (Lim Guan Eng), who is non-Muslim, supposedly to show that he is interfering in Islamic affairs,” the ministry said.

“The Finance Ministry stresses that the minister and ministry have never issued a statement or order for Muslims to perform the umrah only through Tabung Haji, and that private tour operators have been banned from offering such packages.”

The article, titled “Guan Eng will kill off Malay businesses”, said the aim of the ruling was to allow Tabung Haji to monopolise umrah services and eliminate business opportunities for Bumiputera entrepreneurs.

The ministry said it has also lodged a complaint against Malaysia Today with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission.

“We wish to reiterate that neither the ministry nor the minister has ever issued such an order, as alleged in the Malaysia Today article.

“These false allegations are slander and lies.” – February 6, 2019.