PAS likened to Taliban but we're tolerant, good people - Shahidan

PARLIAMENT | Islamist party PAS may have been likened to the Taliban but Shahidan Kassim (Perikatan Nasional-Arau) said that “religious fanatic” PAS actually has a high tolerance for other religions.

As an example, he said PAS-ruled Kelantan has Malaysia’s longest reclining Buddha statue, Wat Phothivihan, at 40 metres.

“I am a fanatic of Islam. (Such) people are good because they do not disturb people. The longest reclining Buddha statue is in Kelantan.

“Religious tolerance is very high for those who are religious fanatics. I want to say that the more passionate (someone is) about religion, the more tolerant they are.

“PAS will continue with our stance in terms of religion, that is when we are fanatical about religion, we actually are good people,” Shahidan said in his speech while debating Budget 2023 in the Dewan Rakyat today.

“Now PAS is being accused of being Taliban and so on. That is an accusation by parties that are racial in nature,” he added.

There have been comparisons made of PAS to the Taliban following an incident shortly after the last election four months ago where PAS campaigners rode on horseback in Penang while bearing Islamic flags.

Shahidan took a swipe at PAS’ detractors, whom he called race-based parties such as Umno, adding that although being race-based is fine, being racist is not.

“In Malaysia, we have race-based parties such as Umno, whereby Umno has now joined DAP and has become more DAP than (DAP).

“Race-based parties are still okay, but racial parties must change especially racial parties that have already become friends with Umno and so on,” he said.

Shahidan was formerly a high-ranking Umno member, becoming a federal minister and Perlis menteri besar previously.

However, during Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s administration, he appeared to support closer cooperation between Umno and Perikatan Nasional (PN), a stance which was in opposition to many of Umno’s top leadership.

Subsequently, for the 15th general election (GE15), he was dropped by Umno as a candidate for Arau, a seat he held for five terms since 1986.

Regardless, he then contested in Arau under the PAS banner and successfully defended his seat.

Call for youths to support PN

In his speech in Parliament today, Shahidan also criticised Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail for purportedly claiming that only “uneducated” youths support PN.

As such, he urged youths to vote for PN in droves in the upcoming six state elections.

“The home minister said those who support PN are those who are uneducated and ride motorcycles. How can he insult people like this? People who support them (Pakatan Harapan) are educated and handsome. Eh, how can he do something like this?

“But it is okay, young people. Since he said something like that, I want all the youths to support PN to take down (Harapan-led) Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, and Penang,” he said.

Throughout his speech, Shahidan also made promises, saying if PN comes to power, they would give more cash aid to the people and allowances to civil servants.

Though he commended Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for declaring an RM700 bonus to civil servants under Budget 2023, he urged for the amount to be increased to RM1,000 in view of the people’s difficult economic situation.

“I suggest, in such a terrible situation, let us give them RM1,000. Pity the government servants. If we (PN) were in power, for sure it would go up to RM2,000,” Shahidan said.

In response, Amirudin Shari (Pakatan Harapan-Gombak), who is also the Selangor menteri besar, interjected and said when Shahidan was in the previous cabinet as the federal territories minister, they did not even give an RM1,000 bonus to the civil servants.

Amirudin Shari (Pakatan Harapan-Gombak)

Monkey business

Meanwhile, Mohd Sany Hamzah (Pakatan Harapan-Hulu Langat) kept interrupting Shahidan’s speech, irritating the Arau MP who eventually said he regrets that the Amanah lawmaker’s behaviour is worse than a monkey in the forest.

An incensed Sany told Shahidan to withdraw his remarks and urged speaker Johari Abdul to make a ruling on the matter.

Johari then asked Shahidan whether he made any “unparliamentarian” remarks, saying that if he was truly Islamic, he would tell the truth.

“Yes or no, did you make any unparliamentarian remarks?” Johari asked.

Shahidan denied it, saying he only meant that Sany should not behave like a monkey in the forest.

“That was what you meant. Okay, case closed, thank you,” Johari concluded. - Mkini