The National Fatwa Council is urged to conduct a thorough investigation on Kelantan Menteri Besar Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat's statement that divine rewards awaited in the afterlife, for those who voted for PAS in the 1990 general elections.

The president of the Malaysian Muslim Youth Movement (Abim), Ahmad Azam Abdul Rahman said such investigation is important to determine the truth of the allegations against Nik Aziz, who is also the spiritual leader of PAS.

"It is important to determine in what context Nik Aziz made that statement. He may be talking in a different context altogether, but it was wrongly interpreted, he said.

"He could be explaining the matters during his religious classes, but was misinterpreted as making a political statement because he is also a PAS leader.

"This is why the council should determine first before proceeding with issuing the fatwa (decree) on the matter," he added.

"Any fatwa should not be issued simply based on interpretation, but must be supported by facts pertaining to the matter," he said.

Nik Aziz had said: Whatever is permitted by Islam is permitted by us, and whatever is forbidden by Islam is forbidden by us. As such, those who voted us to power will certainly receive their heavenly reward.

Royal support sought

The statement was ridiculed by Umno leaders including Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, following which the National Fatwa Council issued a reminder that it is wrong under Islam to link heaven with support to particular individuals or organisations.

The council has also called for an immediate end to such practice to avoid confusing the Muslims.

On Thursday, influential Malay newspaper Utusan Malaysia urged the Malay rulers to exercise their power as heads of religion in their respective states, to stop individual or political parties from exploiting Islam.

The Umno-owned daily said in its editorial that the decree issued by the National Fatwa Council would not help much without the consent and co-operation of the palace.