BY RAHMAH GHAZALI

PETALING JAYA: PAS’ Paya Jaras assemblyman Mohd Khairuddin Othman (pic) has courted controversy for dressing up as a Chinese emperor.

Little did he know, however, that the costume he wore resembled Cao Guojiu, one of the eight immortals in the Taoist pantheon.

In a statement on PAS’ news organ Harakahdaily, Khairuddin admitted his mistake and explained that he was told by his constituents in Wangsa Permai, Kepong that the costume was that of a “Chinese Emperor”.

“I believed that Chinese New Year is a cultural celebration. That’s why I thought the costume had nothing to do with religion,” he was quoted as saying.

Khairuddin, who is also Selangor PAS secretary however said he would accept any decision by the Syura Council against him.

In a statement on Tuesday, Syura Council deputy chief Datuk Dr Nik Muhammad Zawawi Salleh described the incident as “disappointing”.

“But we don’t feel his action meant to go against the teachings or belittling Islam.

“What happened was just a lack of understanding that Islam doesn’t teach its followers to resemble others of different faiths,” he said.

Zawawi then advised PAS members to be mindful of anything that involves religion to avoid any misunderstanding.-thestar