I Don't Support Ibrahim Ali Or His Religious Views - Nancy

KUCHING: Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Nancy Shukri said she never supported Perkasa president Dato Ibrahim Ali and his religious views.

Speaking through her political secretary Mohammed Kamaluddin Effendie here yesterday, she said coming from a multi-racial background, she would never support any religious or racist statements or action against non-Muslims.

Nancy has come under intense attack, especially from netizens, after she answered in Parliament the question why Ibrahim was not charged for his call to burn the Bibles.

“Neither the police nor AG (Attorney-General) can give any reply in Parliament. I, as the de-facto Law Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, had to do it on their behalf. Whatever were the findings of the police or the decision of the AG, I read it out in Parliament because they could not do it there.

“It must be made known that it was the AG’s decision not to charge Dato Ibrahim under the Sedition Act, and the decision was made based on the police investigation.

“As a minister or one of the leaders of the nation, I have to support the rule of the law, but it does not mean I agree with Dato Ibrahim’s extreme views,” the Batang Sadong MP told The Borneo Post yesterday.

She said growing up in a multi-racial family with relatives of different races and religions, race and religions had never been an issue to her.

“Growing up in Sarawak, where there is no issue with race and religion, I never dreamt that one day I would be branded as someone who is anti-Christian or a supporter of those calling for Bible burning.

“If you ask the people in my constituency, no one will believe that as well. I believe all Sarawakians are still with me because they know me and have seen how I serve my people over the years.

“The church leaders in my area can be my witness. The Buddhist believers in my constituency know who I am. For years, I have been giving out grants to them and eat and drink with them. I think they are equally shocked if they were to know that I have been labelled ‘racist’ or anti-Christian’.”

She called on Sarawakians to check her track records over the years and not to be taken in by the attacks hurled at her.

“I have been badly under attack. Honestly, I am at the lowest ebb of my life. However, as long as Sarawakians understand who I am and what is going on, I will remain strong and continue to serve them without fear or favour.”

Last Wednesday, in reply to DAP MP Lim Guan Eng, Nancy presented the police investigation findings on Ibrahim’s alleged statement calling for the burning of the Bible and the AG’s decision not to charge Ibrahim under the Sedition Act.

Since then, she had been under constant attack and labeled as Ibrahim’s supporter.

Meanwhile, the AG office will come out with a report this Friday after the cabinet meeting to explain its decision not to charge Ibrahim under the Sedition Act. - BP