SOCIAL media users are appalled by a Cabinet minister’s statement that the rising cost of living is God’s will, saying Malaysia’s leaders are resorting to blaming God now to cover up their own shortcomings.

Facebook and Twitter users were left dumbfounded by a speech by Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Hamzah Zainudin at the Umno general assembly yesterday, in which he cited a hadith, attributed to Prophet Muhammad, which states: “Verily, it is God who sets prices, who makes things hard, easy and gives out blessings”.

The hadith also states: “I (The Prophet) hope to meet God in a situation where no one demands from me a cruelty in blood or property.”

The hadith was in response to a group of people who complained to the Prophet that the prices of goods were high and had wanted the latter to set prices, Hamzah said.

“When there is a boom and prosperity, one can always claim full credit but when the opposite happens, one can conveniently become dismissive and heap the blame on God’s will,” said Facebook user Osman Wahid Zainal Abidinwahid.

“Very easy to disclaim responsibility. Oh my God human being is notorious for this playing a ‘taichi’ game – if good claim all the credit and never say it is God’s blessing. Full stop.” 

Another Facebook user, Lee Tai Wah said: “When things go wrong, it is God’s fault. How convenient and moronic!”

Anthony Pereira, meanwhile, said it was wrong to make God a scapegoat for human follies. 

“God gave them brains to manage the wealth according to his will of justice and fairness, and not mismanage to make people suffer. Disgusting,” wrote Uttaman Abdullah.

Hamzah, an Umno supreme council member, also said that the hadith showed the government’s attitude was based on what was taught by the Prophet, which is not to interfere in the free market of a country. 

“They don’t know how to manage the economy, they stole billions from the rakyat and made the rakyat suffer to pay back what they stole, then they blame God for it,” said Lis Jekop.

“God gave you the brains and the heart to do good for the people but you turn around and put the blame on God for every sin you committed! Well, know this… you’ve abused the good you’ve been given and soon, God will take away your brains and your hearts. It’s just a matter of time.” 

Philip Chua wrote, “Allah gives wisdom to those who pursue and such inflation is due to only ONE single factor ie poor leadership. Not Allah!”

“The correct Islamic concept is you work/strive, God decides. Playing the easy blame game is wrong,” said another user, Awang Abdillah. 

Amanah Youth deputy chief Faiz Fadzil also took Hamzah to task, saying the minister had manipulated religion to curb people’s frustration over the rising cost of living. 

He said Hamzah should resign as a minister and urged religious scholars to rectify his statement to ensure religion wasn’t being used to cover up tyranny. 

“The country’s wealth has been taken by cronies of the country’s leaders and the people are being forced to pay the country’s debt. So who is managing the country’s economy? Najib or God?” Faiz said. – December 10, 2017.