PAS says ‘Malay unity’ not meant to encourage hatred of others

 Ahmad Fadhli Shaari urges Chinese and Indian voters to judge PAS based on its leaders’ statements rather than claims by other parties.

PAS supporters attending a Negeri Sembilan election ceramah yesterday. The party has an understanding with Barisan Nasional not to contest against each other. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA:

PAS’s call for Malays to unite should not be interpreted as encouraging hatred towards other races, the party’s information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari said today.

In a message to voters ahead of tomorrow’s Negeri Sembilan state election, Fadhli said PAS remained committed to promoting unity and respected all races and religions in Malaysia.

In a Facebook post, he also rejected claims that PAS is an extremist party, saying its advocacy of Malay and Islamic interests did not come at the expense of other communities.

“PAS’s call for Malays to unite does not mean it is encouraging them to hate others. That is not what Islam teaches,” he said. “PAS does not hate the Chinese or Indian communities.

“Just because PAS speaks about Malays does not mean other races are being sidelined, and just because PAS speaks about Islam does not mean PAS is an extremist party.”

Fadhli also urged Chinese and Indian voters not to judge PAS based on what others said about the party, but instead, to evaluate it based on the statements and actions of its own leaders.

He also called on Malay-Muslim voters to support the Muslim unity agenda championed by PAS and Perikatan Nasional, together with Umno and Barisan Nasional.

Fadhli said the alliance sought to restore Malay political power, which he described as the foundation of the country’s political stability. While he acknowledged that some supporters still harboured memories of past political rivalries, Fadhli said achieving unity required setting aside old grievances for the greater good of the Muslim community. - FMT