PAS Urges Non-Malays To Accept Islamic State.
Pas has urged non-Malays to accept Malaysia as an Islamic state.Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang said since non-Malays accepted capitalism, socialism and other Western ideologies, there was no reason why they could not accept the concept of an Islamic state.
"In a democracy, we are allowed to forward our agenda. It is not wrong," he said.
Speaking to reporters after a four-hour closed-door meeting to discuss strategies for the next general election, he said the party would continue to uphold the Federal Constitution despite pushing for an Islamic state.
"We cannot force anyone to convert to Islam. And those who understand Islam know that the religion can be used for politics.
"Ask any non-Malay living in Kelantan and Terengganu if he has ever been victimised by Muslims while under the Pas rule?" he asked.
He said the problem was not with the party but with the media which was giving the wrong message to non-Malays.
"Due to this, people are unable to think for themselves. We want to have ceramah to widen people’s perspective. But the police do not allow us."
On the general election, he said, the party was ready for it and was confident of winning back the seats it lost in the last election.
He said among the new strategies of the party was fielding women candidates. (NST)
****** With this patronising speech by Hadi he has effectively buried whatever little chance PAS had of garnering non-Malay votes. The Islamic party was slowly gaining by default, as a result of much unhappiness with BN's misrule, grudging support from increasingly jaded non-Malays who might have taken the risk of giving PAS a shot at forming the federal government. Now they can kiss that opportunity goodbye.
I wonder what prompted Hadi to bring up the issue of an Islamic state now. His address may get high marks for honesty and plain speaking but would score poorly as a political strategy.
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Labels: Malaysian Politics., PAS
posted by The Malaysian. at 3/12/2007 10:23:00 AM
4 Comments:
I regularly visit Kelantan as I have family relations there, the most recent being Chinese New Year. On freedom of religion, I have to say that the PAS state government has scrupulously adhered to the constitution. There are numerous Buddhist temples in Kelantan, many of them old, but have been recently renovated and extended. I have never heard of undue Local authority obstruction to the construction of Non-Muslim places of worship, while this definitely occurs in Umno controlled states. The one of the world's largest statues of the sitting Buddha was build a few years ago near Kota Bahru, mainly with contributions from the Chinese community.
Long time Chinese residents in Kelantan actually have good relationships with the local Malays, and the friendliness of Kelantan folks helps. Of course, complaints on NEP impact on Chinese business opportunities are common, just like anywhere else in Malaysia.
That aside, there are many social restrictions which annoy non-Muslims, with regard to sale of alcohol, 4-D outlets, sale of non-Halal meat, dress codes for women.
PAS gets credit for running a relatively clean state administration. Both Malays and non-Malays will tell you that Nik Aziz is a man of integrity. (I say "relatively" as the culture of corruption exists everywhere in Malaysia, more or less)
Overall, I would say non-Muslims probably wouldn't like PAS's vision for the country, but its track record and behaviour is not as bad as how Barisan and the Mainstream media paints it.
Very good comments kittykat46. Many will agree with your opinion on PAS especially when you say "non-Muslims probably wouldn't like PAS's vision for the country, but its track record and behaviour is not as bad as how Barisan and the Mainstream media paints it." Setuju!
Hadi old chap, wake up man, even the Malay (read Muslims) rejected PAS Islamic State crap back in the 1999 GE.
Not surprised to hear such statements. For all the cosmetics & makeup they've been putting on recently, it will never cover the fact that their is to turn Malaysia into a Saudi type theocracy. I'm not keen to replace one form of fanaticism/fascism with another. So i'm giving Pas the pass in the elections... as it has always been.
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