The Malaysian Insight

DEPUTY PKR Youth chief Hilman Idham today defended the Youth wing’s Ramadan programme last weekend, for which the party president apologised yesterday as being inappropriately “festive”.

Hilman said the Grand Iftar event was not unsuitable for the holy month as some had alleged, and that Anwar Ibrahim did not receive accurate information on the programme.

“We take note of his reprimand, but we are confident that the programme was held based on Islamic tradition and culture,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

Hilman, who is also political secretary to PKR deputy president Mohd Azmin Ali, said the Sunday event was attended by a preacher who had delivered a sermon and held prayers.

“I choose to believe that the president did not get comprehensive and accurate information.”

Yesterday, Anwar publicly apologised for the event organised by the PKR Youth wing, after it was criticised for not respecting the true meaning of Ramadan.

Anwar reprimanded the organiser for the band performances and fireworks, which he said were too ”festive”.

Hilman had organised the event for alumni trainers of the youth leadership programme at the Tun Ghaffar Baba training camp in Kemensah, Gombak.

The event was attended by 500 people, including 60 PKR branch youth leaders. The Malaysian Insight understands that all party branch youth chiefs were invited, including PKR Youth chief Akmal Nasir.

Hari Raya songs were performed at the event, and fireworks were let off after terawih prayers.

Hilman said that he was taking the opportunity to connect Muslims.

“I choose to distance myself from selfishness and envy, and to defend justice. I believe that this Ramadan is not just for us to get closer to Allah, but to strengthen our bonds of community.

Hulu Selangor PKR Youth chief Saifuddin Shafi said that some were trying to confuse the party’s top leadership about the event.

“There were clearly no excessive elements about the event. Some are trying to confuse the president by not giving him the true picture. 

“To me, Islam is not against entertainment, as long as it is not excessive. There are some moderate forms of entertainment that celebrate the spirit of Ramadan,” he told The Malaysian Insight. – May 27, 2019.