KESATUAN Pondok-Pondok Kelantan has urged political leaders, especially those who portray themselves as champions of Islam, to exercise greater care and responsibility when making public statements that could deepen divisions within society.
Its chairman, Zulkarnain Harun, said in a statement today that political influence comes with a heavy responsibility, as every statement made by a leader could either help bring people together or further widen existing divisions.
The association was responding to remarks by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, who yesterday accused DAP of leading PH in pursuing what he described as a continuation of the colonial agenda to undermine the position of the Malays and Islam.
Kesatuan Pondok-Pondok Kelantan described the allegation as slander, saying it was unsupported by evidence.
“Such serious allegations can not only create suspicion and hatred, but also potentially divide Muslims and undermine harmony in our multiracial society,” said Zulkarnain.
DAP Central Executive Committee member Sheikh Umar Bagharib Ali, meanwhile, maintained that the party has consistently respected the Federal Constitution and conducted its activities within the country’s constitutional framework.
He argued that if DAP genuinely opposed Islam, as alleged, the party would have already faced action for supposedly contradicting provisions protected under the Constitution.
Interestingly, PAS and DAP have not always been on opposing sides of the political divide. The two parties previously worked together and maintained various forms of political cooperation over several years.
Their collaboration was most notably seen under Pakatan Rakyat, when PAS and DAP were part of state governments together.
Zulkarnain also called for a shift away from divisive rhetoric, stressing that political parties should compete based on their ability to offer practical solutions to the challenges facing Malaysians.
“Islam does not become stronger through slander. The Malays do not become stronger through fear. The country does not become stronger through division,” he said.
According to Zulkarnain, it is time for the country’s politics to move away from politics of fear towards politics of solutions, competing to offer the best ideas to strengthen the economy, reduce the cost of living, create jobs, strengthen education, eradicate poverty and improve the people’s wellbeing.
“Let us build a politics grounded in knowledge, facts, justice, morality and the public interest, for an Islam that is respected, a united people, and a peaceful and prosperous Malaysia,” he said.—Aug 9, 2026
Main image: Suara Keadilan.my
