The PAS ulama wing and a Madani-linked religious group in Kelantan are butting heads over PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang’s recent claim that DAP is leading Pakatan Harapan in promoting a colonial agenda aimed at eliminating Islam and the Malays.
At the core of the issue is a battle for how political Islam should be represented in a state long dominated by PAS.
In a statement late on Saturday, Kelantan Pondok Schools Association (Pondok Madani) urged all political leaders, especially those carrying an Islamist image or name, to be more responsible when issuing statements and avoid causing societal division.
Association chairperson Zulkarnain Harun, also known as Baba Zul, cautioned that Hadi’s unfounded statement against DAP is slanderous and no clear evidence has been provided to support the claim.
“Such heavy accusations not only create prejudice and hatred, but also have the potential to divide Muslims and damage multiracial harmony in this country,” he said in a statement yesterday.
He said that Hadi’s latest diatribe against DAP has only highlighted the Marang MP’s confusion on the framework of parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy in Malaysia.
Zulkarnain pointed out that Malaysia is not a country where any political party can act as it pleases because governing power is subject to the Federal Constitution, the Malay rulers, Parliament, laws, and the principles of checks and balances.
He also said the PAS president’s political approach contradicts syariah principles, which emphasise justice, “tabayyun” (verification), and the prohibition of making accusations without proof.
“Islam does not become strong through slander. Malays do not become strong through fear. The nation does not become solid through division.
“It is time for national politics to move away from the politics of fear-mongering to a politics of solutions, (namely) competing to offer the best ideas to improve the economy, lower the cost of living, provide jobs, strengthen education, eradicate poverty, and improve the people’s well-being.
“Let us build a politics rooted in knowledge, facts, justice, morality, and public interest, for the sake of a respected Islam, a united populace, and a peaceful and prosperous Malaysia,” he added.
‘What’s your motive?’
In response, Kelantan PAS deputy ulama chief Asri Mat Daud implied that it was Zulkarnain who did not apply tabayyun to Hadi’s arguments and stirred animosity towards the party president.
Further, he questioned whether there was a political motive to Pondok Madani’s statement.
“Does Pondok Madani have a hidden agenda behind its spirited defence of DAP by making unfounded accusations against the PAS president, whose writings are filled with reasoning?” he said in a statement yesterday.
He also took a swipe at Pondok Madani as being new and not representative of Islamic pondok schools in the state.
Meanwhile, the central PAS ulama wing also issued a statement defending Hadi, while questioning Muslim DAP supporters how they were contributing to Islam.
Among Hadi’s arguments made on Friday was that DAP was committed to “Malaysia being a democratic secular country based on the Federal Constitution which respects all faiths and religions”.
He also accused DAP of making statements that challenge Islam’s position in the constitution, undermined the Malay rulers, and weakened the Malay language, as well as defending apostates.
Further, he accused DAP of appointing non-Muslims to key ministries, which threatened Malays.
His accusations referred to, among others, DAP leaders butting heads with the Selangor sultan over pig farming, the planned Urban Renewal Act, and the study on local council elections for Kuala Lumpur.
Hadi further argued that Malays were not racist in nature, as they were willing to vote for MCA and MIC. - Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.