PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang continues to receive brickbats over his controversial labelling of non-Bumiputeras and non-Muslims as “roots of corruption”, with attention now being drawn to the Islamist party’s non-Muslim wing and election candidates.
Muslim women’s rights group Sisters in Islam (SIS) said the Marang MP’s call for the corruption “disease” to be eradicated holistically and branding of those involved as committing a “huge sin” was a positive call.
Nevertheless, blaming non-Muslims and non-Bumiputera as the main actors of corruption is “denigrating and appalling”, a spokesperson for the group told FocusM.
“His recent Facebook post is disconnected with PAS’ efforts to invite non-Muslims to become their members or supporters,” they added.
In 2018, PAS fielded non-Muslim candidates in the 14th General Election (GE14), such as the late R. Kumutha (Johor Jaya, Johor) and Satail Mojungkat (Kadamaian, Sabah). Satail was also the first non-Muslim to be fielded as a candidate by Sabah PAS.
On the other hand, back in 2020, PAS received around 200 membership forms from non-Muslims to join the non-Muslim supporters’ wing in Negeri Sembilan.
The PAS non-Muslim supporters’ wing has since defended Hadi over his remarks, saying that he told them he was blaming the rich and famous and not non-Muslims and non-Bumiputeras specifically.
According to Malaysiakini, wing chief N. Balasubramaniam said some words had been taken out of context to “create a big issue”, adding that Hadi’s Facebook post must be “read in full”.
Hadi, however, had said on Aug 20: “These groups who chase illicit gains are the ones who eventually control the economy. They then damage our politics as they are the roots for corruption, and the majority of them are non-Muslims and non-Bumiputras.”
“Unnecessary and unwarranted” use of laws
Commenting on the laws used to investigate Hadi over his remarks, the SIS spokesperson said such laws have been broadly used against activists and individuals for being critical and expressing their dissatisfaction against key institutions, and are “unnecessary and unwarranted”.
Hadi was at Bukit Aman on Tuesday (Aug 30) for questioning under Section 505 (c) of the Penal Code for issuing statements likely to incite the public and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for improper use of network facilities or services.
Even as it called for a repeal and reforms of both laws to protect and uphold freedom of expression, the spokesperson said Hadi’s speech needs to be assessed, particularly given his position as a political leader in the ruling Government with significant influence over PAS followers and the overall Malaysian public.
They noted that Hadi’s words and behaviour are under heavy public scrutiny now since PAS is part of the ruling Government and they are expected to contribute to the formation, reform and implementation of policies and laws, besides having the obligation to practice good governance.
His “offensive” and “baseless” remarks on the matter also defeat the “spirit” of Merdeka and are not in line with the current Government’s Keluarga Malaysia: Teguh Bersama tagline of inclusivity of all ethnicities, culture and religion in a family-like spirit, they added.
“Besides that, as president of PAS, a political party that has long existed in Malaysia, Hadi is regarded as a respected senior politician or ulama by party members and some quarters of the public. His statements and ideologies carry weight and have an impact on his supporters.
“As an influential religious leader, as regarded by their party members and supporters, Hadi should not have written anything that is offensive to non-Muslims and non-Bumiputeras or blatantly accuse them of corruption. Hence, Hadi must be held responsible and strict actions must be taken against him.”
Any form of offensive speech, especially hate speech, plays a negative role in polarising societies as it can lead to intolerance between groups of people, the spokesperson noted – an especially dangerous situation in Malaysia where race and religion are often used as political tools by political parties or individuals.
“Impresses that all Muslims are free of sin”
“Not only does Hadi’s post impart racism and may exacerbate the existing racial divide as it blatantly accuses non-Muslims and non-Bumiputeras of corruption, but it also gives the impression that Islam and its people are the only supreme religion in Malaysia and that all Muslims are ‘pure’ and ‘free of sins’ as compared to non-Muslims.
“In reality, it is noted that Hadi has been silent on the issue of corruption related to former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak,” the SIS spokesperson claimed.
Meanwhile, commenting on calls to dissolve PAS on the basis of their “extremist” ideologies, the spokesperson asked how doing so will solve anything, and raised the possibility of such ideologies taking form in another vessel like a spokesperson or political party.
“What are we lacking at the moment that we cannot hold these leaders accountable for what they are saying so blatantly? Is there a collective voice that says such dividing and intolerant views are not accepted in Malaysia?
“We are not hearing these words coming from leaders and communities who should be saying this loud and clear,” they said.
As for PAS, members and leaders alike, they must be made accountable for what they really stand for and the point of accusing and inciting non-Muslims and non-Bumiputeras.
“And for us, as part of the Malaysian public who disagree with the position that the PAS leader is taking, how else can we hold PAS as a political party and their followers accountable as Malaysian citizens?” the spokesperson asked. – Sept 3, 2022
Main photo credit: Harakah Daily
