Pas says non-Muslim MPs will not be sidelined under Muhyiddin

© Provided by New Straits Times Pas deputy president Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said he was confident that the prime minister would stick to his words and treat all Malaysians equally. - NSTP/ASYRAF HAMZAH

KOTA BARU: Pas has given assurance that Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin will not sideline non-Muslim members of Parliament in the Muafakat Nasional coalition.

Its deputy president Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said he was confident that the prime minister would stick to his words and treat all Malaysians equally.

"Pas, as one of the party in the coalition, would like to give our assurance that the Muafakat Nasional under the leadership of Tan Sri Muhyiddin will adhere to the existing policy as well as the Constitution.

"Although their numbers were fewer (non-Muslim MPs in the coalition), they will still receive the same treatment and their voices will also be heard.

"Therefore, non-Muslims in the country, particularly non-Muslim MPs, should not worry about the changes in the country's administration," he said.

The Kubang Kerian MP added that Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang had also spoken to the prime minister over the issue and asked him not to leave out non-Muslims from the country’s development.

Tuan Ibrahim was commenting on an online report that several non-Muslim MPs in the coalition were concerned whether their views would carry weight in the overwhelmingly Malay Muslim-majority coalition, despite Muhyiddin's assurance that he would be a prime minister for all races.

Two of the non-Muslim MPs from the new coalition had expressed their fear despite reassurance by “Muhyiddin’s people”.

They requested for their voices to be heard and that they would not be sidelined.

Muhyiddin came to power with the backing of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia MPs as well as Barisan Nasional dominated by Umno, along with Pas, GPS and Warisan.

Non-Muslims in the coalition include MPs from Keningau, Beluran, Puncak Borneo, Saratok, Baram, Bintulu, Ayer Hitam, Tanjung Piai, Segamat and Tapah.