Ismail Sabri calls for “jihad”

UMNO vice-president Dato’ Sri Ismail Sabri Yaakob gained media attention in March after his statement, “Jihad against Pakatan Harapan”.

One of the politicians who came forward to criticise the remark is Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng.

“Jihad” is an Arabic word which carries the meaning of “struggle or strive with praiseworthy aim”.

However, the word has been heavily associated with the holy war, which is the reason why Lim demanded Ismail Sabri retract his statement to avoid war and bloodshed among innocent people. If Ismail refused to do so, Lim will proceed with a police report.

However, Ismail stood firm with his “jihad” remark.

According to him, his “jihad” meant the fight against middlemen, as well as the fight for the Bumiputra economic agenda and education.

He also encouraged people to study and understand the meaning of the word “jihad” and learn not to relate his call for “jihad” with war.

It is alright for a politician to use the word “jihad” despite it being negatively connoted with war and might cause a confusion to the members of the public?