‘You push for Muslim leader, but field a Christian’

PBB Deputy President slams PAS' Abdul Hadi Awang over “Sarawak should be ruled by Muslim” remarks but fielding Christian candidate.

KUCHING: PBB Deputy President Abang Johari Abang Openg (Abang Jo) has slammed PAS President Abdul Hadi Awang for stating that Sarawak should only be ruled by a Muslim Bumiputera.

A bewildered Abang Johari then pointed out that the Islamist party had fielded a Christian, Clement Bayang, as their candidate for the Kakus seat.

“Which one is correct? They (PAS) have a non-Muslim candidate but they said Sarawak can only be ruled by a Muslim? How is that possible?” he told reporters after presenting land titles to Kampung Senari residents here today.

Last night, Abdul Hadi said PAS will not allow anyone other than a Muslim Bumiputera to rule Sarawak.

The Marang MP added that while PAS recognised the Chinese and Indians as citizens, he stressed that the chief minister must be a Muslim.

When contacted, Sarawak PAS Secretary Mukhtar Suhaili told FMT they chose Clement Bayang as their candidate to prove to their critics that the party accepted everyone, regardless of their religion.

“Certain quarters tried to paint us as extremists but we are actually not,” he said, adding that support for Clement Bayang had been “encouraging”.