KUALA LUMPUR – Several parties in the federal government did not mince their words as they launched scathing rebukes of PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang’s tasteless remark that non-Muslims contribute majorly to corruption.
Calling the claim “gutter nonsense”, MCA secretary-general Datuk Chong Sin Woon demanded that Hadi retract his statement.
PAS is itself a component of the bloc ruling Putrajaya, and Hadi is Malaysia’s appointed special envoy to the Middle East, a ministerial-level position.
Chong warned that baseless slander such as this could potentially stir up hatred, distrust, and misunderstandings against non-Muslims and non-Bumiputeras.
“Hadi’s remarks warrant a rebuke and must be withdrawn. It cannot be emphasised enough that no reasonable person of sound mind would nor could ever link the issue of graft with race and religion.
“Such misinformation is appalling, more so when they hail from a politically seasoned leader,” he said in a statement today.
Chong pointed out that Hadi failed to corroborate his accusations with fact, analysis, or evidence.
“Corruption has nothing to do with race and religion. This is an obvious fact and basic common sense,” Chong added.
Hadi had yesterday accused non-Muslims and non-Bumiputeras of making up the bulk of what he described as the roots of corruption, as he attempted to highlight the need to combat graft.
He said action must be taken against those who pursue wealth through illegal means, and claimed that among them are individuals who control the country’s economy and destroy politics, the administration, and judiciary.
“In fact, they are also the biggest group damaging the country’s politics and economy, the majority of them being non-Muslims and non-Bumiputeras,” he had said.
Corruption does not know skin colour
Gerakan vice-president Datuk Baljit Singh Jigiri Singh said the issue of corruption is a Malaysian problem that requires the effort of every citizen to combat, and should not be racialised.
He questioned if Hadi had issued his statement based on any previous studies or surveys conducted, saying that the PAS president ought to back his remarks with evidence if so.
“We won’t be able to move our country forward if we keep racialising everything, more so in a Merdeka month, where we are supposed to showcase the spirit of togetherness,” he said.
“Corruption, whether in the few dollars on the streets or the billions of ringgit in the corridors of power, should be condemned at all levels, irrespective of race and religion.
“I’m not condemning Hadi per se, but I would like to mention that corruption is cross-society. It’s a Malaysian problem, so let’s not talk about it in a narrow race-religion scope.”
Gerakan is a component party of Perikatan Nasional, which also comprises PAS and Bersatu.
Meanwhile, fledgling party Parti Bangsa Malaysia demanded that Hadi apologise to all non-Muslims and non-Bumiputeras if he is not able to show proof to back up his claims insinuating people of other faiths have no integrity.
Party senior vice-president Steven Choong said that as PAS is part of the Keluarga Malaysia government, the Marang MP’s views are out of line with the aspirations of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
“In the first place, corruption requires a giver and recipient. Surely, if there is no willing recipient, there will not be any corruption.
“Hence, any individual who has a material appetite for more is susceptible to be either a giver or a recipient, irrespective of the race or faith of the person.”
PBM has applied to join the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition, whose supreme council is deliberating on the matter and has yet to make an announcement of their decision. – The Vibes, August 21, 2022
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