'Topple Harapan' fatwa: Umno deputy says PAS members needed direction

Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan today defended PAS' declaration that toppling the Pakatan Harapan government is a religious obligation.

He said PAS members are very loyal to their leaders and needed direction.

"PAS issued the fatwa (religious edict) for its members because PAS members needed direction from their leaders. They are very loyal to their leaders.

"Do not misunderstand, fatwa is not law (hukum). People think that fatwa concerns halalor haram (permissible or impermissible) but fatwa is a guide," he told a press conference after officiating the Sepang Umno divisional meeting this evening.

Last Sunday, PAS Ulama chief Nik Zawawi Salleh declared that it is a religious obligationto bring down the current government.

"Our party is PAS, facing Harapan, the law (hukum) is compulsory (wajib) to do so. The law on toppling the current government is compulsory to do so," he had said.

However, Mohamad said it was not necessary for Umno to follow a PAS edict.

"We are only cooperating, we're not merging. It is stated in our charter that Umno is Umno, PAS is PAS.

"It does not mean we must do what PAS does. It has not reached that level. It is at a stage where we cooperate on strategy," he said.

Following the declaration, Amanah president Mohamad Sabu criticised PAS for coming up with religious edicts that are constantly changed to suit its needs.  - Mkini