Indonesian Muslim Leader Reminds Zahid About Geography After He Blamed Earthquakes On LGBT

Ahmad Syafii Maarif, former chief of the second largest Indonesian Islamic organisation Muhammadiyah, told Free Malaysia Today (FMT) that he was surprised that such a statement came from an "important" person like Zahid.

The 7.5-magnitude earthquake that occurred on 28 September triggered a tsunami in the city of Palu. More than 2,000 bodies were recovered, and about 5,000 people are believed to be buried in the ruins.

Indonesian authorities reportedly said on Sunday that 220,000 people lost their homes to the disaster.

"There are geographical factors involved," Syahii said, adding that earthquakes are not a divine punishment but should be seen as an opportunity to help fellow humans affected by the disaster.

"If we have sinned, we seek forgiveness from God. But never link it to the tsunami," said Syafii.

He claimed that the disaster, which left thousands dead, was caused by LGBT activities practiced by the community there.

"The entire area was destroyed. This is the punishment of Allah," Zahid said yesterday in Dewan Rakyat, according to Malaysiakini.

"We need to ensure that Malaysia and those who are against LGBT are spared Allah's punishment," he added.

Malaysia's Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq questioned Zahid's remarks on his Twitter yesterday, 23 October.

"How about (God's punishment on) those who accept bribes and conspire with others to steal money from the people?", Syed Saddiq asked.

Deputy Minister of Women, Family, and Community Development Hannah Yeoh also criticised Zahid's remark saying that, "corruption was the biggest social ill and immoral activity in Malaysia".

In a tweet, she wrote, "Of all the pressing issues the Opposition Leader @Zahid_Hamidi could have raised, he chose this. "