Several decisions made by the federal government that had touched on "sensitivities of Muslims" were handled well due to a firm stand taken by PAS as part of the administration, according to PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan.
The energy and natural resources minister said the handling of such sensitive matters is a benefit of having PAS in the federal administration, and their presence should be defended.
"We have seen how certain actions by the government that initially touched on sensitivities of Muslims were eventually handled well due to PAS' firm stand as a component party of the ruling coalition.
"This proves the benefit of having PAS as part of the government, in the best interest of the majority of people," said Takiyuddin in his speech at the 67th PAS annual muktamar in Kuala Terengganu.
"Therefore, the victory we are now handling must be defended and fulfilled to the best of our ability in order to be fair in the eyes of Allah and also the people," he said.
The Kota Bharu MP did not elaborate on the sensitive issues, but his speech today followed a recent controversy over local whiskey brand "Timah" that was claimed to have insulted Islam or confused Muslims.
Critics, including from PAS, insisted that the brand name and image on the drink's logo was an insult to Islam, despite the producer's explanation that "Timah" actually refers to the iron ore and that its logo of a man with a skullcap represents Captain Tristram Speedy, an English officer during the British colonisation of Malaya.
An inter-ministerial meeting with Timah's manufacturer, Winepak Corporation Sdn Bhd, eventually saw the company agreeing to consider revamping its image.
Aside from the whiskey issue, PAS was also involved in the government's move to increase the number of "special draws" for number betting companies from eight to 22 a year.
The Pakatan Harapan federal administration had reduced the number of annual special draws from 22 to 11 in 2019, and once again from 11 to eight last year. This was on top of three regular draws a week.
Since taking over Putrajaya, Perikatan Nasional under former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin had reportedly reverted the number of special draws back to 22.
PAS was a member of both administrations under Muhyiddin and now Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
Further, Takiyuddin said states under PAS' administration - Kelantan, Kedah and Terengganu - which previously were allegedly sidelined due to political differences, have now enjoyed large scale developments due to the party's inclusion as part of the federal coalition.
"The federal government built on the strength of Malay-Muslims has opened the room for PAS to fill it with an agenda previously restricted to only religious classes, discussions, lectures and other party's internal programmes," he added. - Mkini
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