PETALING JAYA – The repeated usage of racist rhetoric by Islamist party PAS is injuring the image of Islam in the eyes of those who do not adhere to the faith, asserted Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today.
He stressed that the “extreme” campaign tactic employed by the party, which is formally contesting under the Perikatan Nasional (PN) banner in the looming national polls (GE15), only serves to downgrade the perception of Islam.
“I think (PAS) is doing a disservice to Islam (by) instilling fear among non-Muslims towards Islam,” the PKR president told The Vibes in an exclusive interview.
“I have been asked why I am so hard on (PAS), but why should I tolerate or condone their actions (when the party) has an extreme and misguided interpretation (of Islam)?”
Over the weekend, video clips of Sik PAS Youth chief and preacher Shahiful Nasir claiming that voters would “go to hell” if they voted for Barisan Nasional (BN) or PH on polling day this Saturday made the rounds on social media.
PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli subsequently lodged a police report against Shahiful.
Besides that, Anwar, who is also PH’s prime ministerial choice, deplored how PKR’s one-time ally PAS appears to not be cloaking its usage of such insensitive and threatening narratives, contrary to how the party used to operate in the past.
“Racism (within PAS) is rearing its ugly head. Back in the 2004 and 2008 general elections, (PAS) was a component party of multiracial coalitions, so these issues (on racist rhetoric) toned down,” he said.
“Even during the previous national polls, (PAS’s usage of racial sentiments) was not that glaring but now they are out in the open.”
During the 2004 general election, PAS, PKR, DAP, and Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) had banded together under the Alternative Front coalition.
The coalition, minus PRM, was later succeeded by Pakatan Rakyat after the 2008 national polls and would go on to form the basis of PH.
PAS would later quit PR in 2015.
Anwar also said that while PAS occupies itself with making enemies of minorities, PH has been sure to inform voters – regardless of race – of the positive initiatives the coalition will implement if it regains Putrajaya.
“What is (PAS’) agenda? Nothing. We all need stability, but what stability (is PAS advocating)? Is it stability to aid in squandering billions (of ringgit)?” he questioned.
“What we (PH) have to offer is stability (that will allow for) economic growth while addressing the issues of poverty and inequality, which will then ensure Malaysia is an attractive destination for investors.”
Taking aim at other opposing coalitions, Anwar said that as the “only multiracial agenda in the country”, PH strives to reassure citizens that it will prioritise their well-being, touting the coalition as the only choice for voters who are tired of “religious bigotry”.
“(Voters) do not have much of a choice…We can’t have (BN linchpin) Umno with its obsolete ways, nor can we have (PN component party) Bersatu with its Malay-first agenda,” he said.
Anwar is seeking to wrest the Tambun federal seat from its incumbent, PN deputy chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu. He also faces BN’s Datuk Seri Aminuddin Md Hanafiah and Pejuang’s Abdul Rahim Tahir there.
Malaysians will cast their votes for GE15 this Saturday. – The Vibes, November 17, 2022
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