PAS spiritual head Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat wants Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim to explain his controversial statement on Israel “openly” as the issue has already become public, reported the Malay language newspaper Utusan Malaysia.

“If Anwar wants to see me there is nothing to it, we will support anyone who is truthful and not afraid,” said the Kelantan menteri besar.

“It is just that he has made statements openly, if I want an answer in private, it is not right.

NONE"The issue is public (so) the answer given should be made public so that the people can also be informed,” Nik Aziz (right) told reporters at his official residence yesterday.

This follows Nik Aziz's ultimatum to Anwar to either demand the Asian Wall Street Journal (AWSJ) to retract and clarify the report or sue the international newspaper for “twisting” his statement.

“If Anwar does not want to retract that statement, it is okay, let it be first, we will deal with it later,” said Nik Aziz, adding that he had sent a letter to Anwar on Monday for the clarification, but has yet to receive a reply.

NONEAnwar (left) had reportedly said in an interview with the AWSJ recently that he supported “all efforts to protect the security of the state of Israel”.

Nik Aziz stressed the party’s stand of not recognising the “illegal state” of Israel and that the Islamic party rejected the resolution to allow two countries to co-exist - one for the Palestinians and another for the Jews.

Anwar has provided an explanation
 
Nik Aziz was responding to Sinar Harian’s report quoting a PKR source as saying that Anwar would be seeking a meeting with the former after discussing with the party’s political bureau tonight.

In another development, the newspaper also quoted PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu as saying that Anwar has already provided an explanation on the matter at the Pakatan Rakyat leadership council meeting yesterday.

However, whether PAS is gratified with the clarification is another matter for the syura council to decide, said Mohamad.

“We (PAS) have stated our view in this issue and he (Anwar) has given a clarification. We heard his explanation (but) the difference of opinion is common in Pakatan Rakyat, we cannot force everyone to share the same opinion with us,” he said.

Mohamad also opined that calls for Anwar to retract his statement or sue AWSJ was the latter’s prerogative.

Meanwhile, a prominent Islamic academic Muhammad Uthman el Muhammady hit out at Anwar’s statement as a “dangerous virus” that can destroy the Muslims.

Muhammad Uthman told Berita Harian that the al-Quran regards the Jews as a “cursed race” and it is a “big sin” in Islam to cause a rift among Muslims.

He warned Malaysians to not be influenced by “such personalities”, who have become an “apparatus” of western ideologies to propagate against Islam.