Tuan Ibrahim recalls how PAS president sheltered Chinese family during May 13

PAS MUKTAMAR | PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man recalled how a Chinese family in Terengganu purportedly sought refuge at the “PAS president’s” residence during the May 13, 1969 racial riots.

However, he did not clarify if he was referring to Dr Burhanuddin al-Helmi, who helmed the Islamist party at the time, or current president Abdul Hadi Awang.

Tuan Ibrahim mentioned this when recounting his recent meeting with elderly Chinese residents in Kelantan.

“They cried while sharing their experience of how Malaysian society lived harmoniously (in the past). Everyone knew their boundaries.

“The May 13 (riots) did not happen in Kelantan and Terengganu, it only happened in Kuala Lumpur. It didn’t happen in Kelantan even though the Chinese community is the minority. 

“In fact, if you read Terengganu’s history, a Chinese family sought refuge in ‘tuan guru’ PAS president’s house. There was no problem,” he told the grand ceramah at the PAS Muktamar in Shah Alam last night.

Hadi, who hails from Terengganu, is commonly referred to as “tuan guru”. He became the president of PAS in 2002 following the death of his predecessor Fadzil Noor on June 23, 2002.

Non-Muslims will be protected

Meanwhile, Tuan Ibrahim said it is important to assure non-Muslims of their protection under PAS’ rule.

“This is the guarantee of unity we want to bring. That is why we need to see the importance for us to be together in this crusade.

“And for us to pass this on to our families and children so they are together in this. They will understand our struggle,” he added. 

Tuan Ibrahim also recalled the teachings of the late PAS spiritual adviser Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, who said that it is not impossible for Chinese who believe in Allah to be better than Malays who do not care about Islam. 

“That is why race is neither a choice nor is it fated. It is not our choice to be Malay, Chinese, and Indian,” he added.

Two days ago, Hadi told the Mukmatar that after having secured the support of the Malays, PAS must now work on winning over the non-Malays in the next general election.

He said this “important but challenging” task is crucial for winning Putrajaya.

Also present at the grand ceramah were vice-president Idris Ahmad, Ulama wing chief Ahmad Yahaya, and newly elected PAS Youth chief Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden.

However, Hadi and Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin, who were scheduled to attend the session, did not appear. 

Tuan Ibrahim told the audience that Hadi needed to rest while Muhyiddin, who is also the Perikatan Nasional chairperson, was tied up with other engagements. - Mkini