PAS’ Top 5 CNY greetings as Islamist party traded green with red to usher in Year of the Fire Horse

 

DETRACTORS were busy poking fun at PAS’ sincerity as one after another of its leaders at both the Federal and state levels seized the moment to join Malaysian Chinese in ushering in the Year of the Fire Horse.

“In the past, PAS claimed that the late Lee Kuan Yew wore a songkok because he wanted to deceive the Malays,” so claimed a presumed Madani government backer aiamDeen (@aiamDeen) in his compilation of 2026 Chinese New Year (CNY) greetings by PAS leaders nationwide.

“Now that many PAS leaders have donned samfu (a traditional two-piece Chinese outfit consisting of a top and trousers – are they trying to deceive the Chinese?”

Given that many of PAS top echelons have traded green for red this CNY season, FocusM has decided to run the Top 5 CNY greetings judged by party hierarchy, quality of message/narrative and garb of the individual PAS leader.

# 1: PAS president Tan Sri Hadi Awang

The 78-year-old eight-term Marang MP did not have any specific CNY greeting but his presence at a CNY ceremony in his parliamentary constituency has made many diehard PAS backers excited that their supreme leader has been blessed with a pink of health.

Donning a red vest bearing the moon symbol on top of his typical cleric robe, he came in a Perodua MYVi – instead of his grey Mercedes Benz – thus earning praises for his asceticism, simplicity and the very fact that he is not being tied to worldly luxury (see main image).

#2: PAS secretary-general and Kota Bahru MP Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan

In his national level greeting, the Perikaran Nasional (PN) chief whip has set tongues wagging when he cited classical Chinese philosopher Confucius that “harmony is something that must be welcomed”. Additionally, he also quoted Lao Tzu on the dangers of excessive behaviour by likening it to poison which can cause damages and destruction to mankind.

But specifically for Kelantanese and Kota Bahru Chinese, he hopes that the Year of the Fire Horse will bring forth courage, perseverance and resilience to continue building a peaceful, prosperous and blessed society.

#3: Selangor PAS Youth chief Mohamed Sukri Omar

“Gong Xi Fa Cai. May Malaysia continue to be blessed and be led to a more glorious direction” was his greeting but detractor Asam Baki (@asam_baki) regarded the Kota Anggerik state assemblyman’s “very Chinese-like” image as “hypocrisy at its finest”.

“For 364 days, you chant that Chinese this and Chinese that but come CNY, out come all the aunties and grannies’ Chinese fan and poster to show off just how Chinese you are. Who knows if tomorrow you would claim to have Chinese blood in your family?”

#4: Deputy Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Mohamed Fadzil Hassan

The 57-year-old Temangan state assemblyman may be clad in his Baju Melayu, sampin  and songkok but he outshone most pf his peers with the maroon colour choice and the CNY 2026 animal zodiac with the backdrop of some lanterns and a pagoda.

“Hahahahaha. Suddenly, PAS has a CNY poster which could easily topple that of DAP leaders wehhh ,” teased detractor POLITIKO #FreePalestine (@mypolitiko).

#4: Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor

“In conjunction with this CNY, on behalf of the State Government, I wish to express my appreciation to the Chinese community for their contributions and role of the in preserving the harmony and progress of our state,” greeted the National PAS election director, a potentially tell-tale sign that the GE16 (16th General Election) could be nearing.’

“May this new year bring happiness, good health and abundant sustenance to all. Gong Xi Fa Cai. Xin Nian Kuai Le.”

#5: Kepala Batas MP Dr Siti Mastura Muhammad

The first-term PAS lawmaker should be applauded for not taking to heart her RM825,000 defamation suit loss to three DAP trio of  trio of Tan Sri Lim Kit Siang, Lim Guan Eng and Teresa Kok in December 2024.

This is over the Penang State PAS Muslim Council deputy head’s unfounded claims of linking DAP’s retired supremo Kit Siang, the party’s advisor Guan Eng and ex-vice-chairman Teresa Kok who is also the Seputeh MP to the late Communist Party of Malaya leader Chin Peng. 

 

- Focus Malaysia