Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said all races and religions will receive fair treatment even though Islam is the main religion in the country. ― Bernama pic

ALOR SETAR, June 1 — The government gives its assurance that all races and religions will receive fair treatment even though Islam is the main religion in the country.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said justice and priority would also continue to be given to the lower income group so that they would not feel that they were being left out of the mainstream of development.

“Although Malaysia has a multi-racial population and we expect that in 2050 the number of Muslims would continue to rise to 80 per cent, the present government will always be fair to everyone.

“Islam is a beautiful religion and among the characteristics of a Muslim country is that the ruling party is fair to everyone,” he said at a breaking of the fast gathering at Masjid Rafeh, Taman Uda, here this afternoon.

Also present at the gathering were Mentri Besar, Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom and Education Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid.

Ahmad Zahid said that those who claimed that this country was secular should first have a look at the national Constitution which placed Islam as the official religion.

More than 1,000 people attended the gathering and 100 of them comprised those receiving contributions and orphans.

Earlier, Ahmad Zahid made a working visit to the Immigration, Customs, and Quarantine Complex at Bukit Kayu Hitam.

The Deputy Prime Minister later performed the Isyak prayers and joined the terawih congregation at the Masjid Tuanku Abdul Rahman Putra, Kuala Kedah here. — Bernama