PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang denied that his party has adopted race-based politics in its campaigns, saying the party is focused on fulfilling the obligations demanded by Islam.
Hadi thus refuted claims by Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) that it has adopted a race-based approach in its political campaigns.
During a press conference Hadi said PAS is not employing a race-centric strategy.
Instead, he asserted that PAS differentiates itself from PH, Amanah, DAP and PKR.
“Politics in part of the religion and PAS, as an Islamic party, has been fulfilling its obligation as it is the welfare of the people. PAS is not like PH and Amanah or DAP and PKR. We perform charity that is accepted by God ,” he noted.
Moreover, Hadi’s statement does not however explain the reality on social media and in PAS messages across the board.
Hadi himself has been accused of making racist statements when he attacked a community, accusing them of being ‘inherently’ corrupt.
His campaign against the DAP is also perceived as an attack against a particular race, though the party is a multi-racial party.
In response to Amanah’s claim that Pas has long employed a race-based approach, Hadi said it is not the case while expressing confidence in increasing support for the PAS, particularly from the youth, in the upcoming elections across the six states.
Yesterday (June 24), Amanah communication director Khalid Samad pointed out that PAS had used a race-based approach in its movement and had effectively persuaded the people.
He added that the party has also shifted the emphasis from Islam as the foundation of its struggle. – June 25, 2023
