JOHOR could regress in various aspects including its economy, development, social aspects and Islamic teachings if the state were to adopt the party’s Islamic governance model, said Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed.
According to the UMNO Supreme Council member, the PAS-style Islamic framework was ill-suited for Johor.
“In brief, if we were to adopt the PAS-style Islamic model akin to the governments of Iran and the Taliban, Johor’s progress in terms of its economy, development, social aspects, and Islamic teachings would likely regress,” he was reported as saying.
Touching on the state’s religious education, Nur Jazlan said the religious schools in Johor were considerably more advanced compared to the Islamic education system in Kelantan thanks to efficient management by the Johor Islamic Religious Council and well-maintained infrastructure facilities.
Economy-wise, the Deputy Dewan Negara Speaker noted that Johor’s status as the southern gateway to the nation’s development was also widely recognised.
“The state government led by UMNO has been implementing various progress and development projects to enhance the wellbeing of the people,” he said in a statement on Facebook today (Sept 1).
“In contrast, Kelantan has been under the rule of the Islamist party for more than 30 years. What are the significant progress (in the state) that the party take pride in?
“The persistent issue of addressing the basic needs of the public remains unsolved and yet they are already boasting about ambitious economic ventures and state investments.”
Nur Jazlan went on to point out that many individuals from Kelantan and Terengganu migrate to Johor in search of livelihoods due to the broader job opportunities thanks to the state’s economic advancements which are bordering Singapore.
“If these individuals had not left Kelantan, what job opportunities would the PAS government have provided for them?”
Nur Jazlan went on to throw shade at PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang’s call for voters to support Perikatan Nasional (PN) to “save Islam”.
“For me, such superficial reasons are insulting and demeaning to the Muslims in Johor and it is as if Islam as a religion is threatened, oppressed and backwards,” he remarked.
Nur Jazlan further stressed that since the previous Johor state election, PAS’ efforts to introduce their “green wave” had been quelled by the Johor “red and blue wave”.
“The Johor public will not tolerate PAS’ rigid politics veiled under the guise of religion. (Therefore), I am confident that voters in Simpang Jeram and the Pulai Parliament will once again express their disapproval for PAS and the political dogma they espouse,” he said. – Sept 1, 2023
Main pic credit: Info Rakyat
