KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA — PAS (Malaysian Islamic Party) president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang refuted his political rival’s claim about his party being extremist, insists that the Islamic party is ready to work with parties dominated by non-Malays if it had instead formed the government.
“We will work together with everyone, Interestingly, MCA (Malaysian Chinese Association), MIC (Malaysian Indian Congress) and parties in Sabah gave statutory declarations (SD) backing us (Perikatan National) to form the government recently, except for DAP,” Hadi Awang claimed.
Both MCA and MIC are Chinese and Indian-based political parties in Barisan National (BN) coalition. BN is now part of the “unity government” with Pakatan Harapan.
Hadi Awang who is also Perikatan National (PN) deputy chairman, said PAS was flexible with non-Muslims. For example, the PN coalition consists of Chinese-led Gerakan Party and Pas Supporters Congress joined by non-muslims.
Hadi Denied Calling Anwar An “Israel Agent”
Hadi Awang also denied that he called new Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim an Israel Agent, and he claimed that it was Anwar who accused him of saying so.
“Who said I said that? I never said that. It’s him who accused me of saying those things, so it’s up to him,” he replied to the media in a press conference held at Bandar Baharu Rompin, Pahang on 29 November.
“Bukit Aman(Royal Malaysia Police headquarters) knows if I did say those things or not. They recorded my speeches and read my statement, so whether I said so or not it depends.”
He added that he is unafraid to be called up by the police for questioning on the matter.
Hadi Awang’s Lengthy Post Criticised DAP For Being “Extreme”
In Hadi Awang’s lengthy post on 28 November, he criticised Democratic Action Party (DAP) as “creedless and immoral”, and PAS became its target when the Islamic party won the most seats among all political parties.
He further accused DAP of importing the hostile views of Orientalists and the Western media about Islam, to the point that falsities are reported against PAS.
As for those Malays who joined DAP, Hadi Awang accused them as “stupid and liberal Malays rejected by Islam” used by DAP as a mouthpiece.
He claimed that DAP continues to be extreme towards the Muslim culture, “Non-Muslim religious rights written in the Federal Constitution are considered insufficient and oppressive; the right for language and culture allowed in the Constitution is considered insufficient.”
His remark had since been criticised by PH leaders for spreading hatred and false information.
