We have non-Muslim Sabah members, says PAS after compatibility concerns

 

PAS has pointed to its non-Muslim members in Sabah in an attempt to allay concerns over calls to co-opt its party representatives into the state legislative assembly and Cabinet.

BN secretary-general Annuar Musa previously mooted PAS to be given one of the six nominated assemblyperson spots.

Terengganu Bersatu chief Razali Idris, meanwhile, suggested for PAS to be given a state Cabinet position in “appreciation” for agreeing to not contest in the recent Sabah election.

In a statement today, PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan (above) explained that the party wanted to “play a role” in Sabah politics but in a manner “appropriate” with its fellow Perikatan Nasional (PN) allies.

“I want to stress that PAS, especially in Sabah, has members from various Sabahan ethnic and tribal groups. These include non-Muslims in our Dewan Himpunan Pendokong PAS (Non-Muslim PAS Supporters Congress),” he said.

Takiyuddin also declared PAS’ full support for the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) government and newly-minted chief minister Hajiji Mohd Noor.

Hajiji has yet to name his full state Cabinet or his nominated assemblyperson picks. Nominated assemblypersons have the same voting rights as their elected counterparts.

GRS, a coalition comprising PN, BN, and PBS, won Saturday’s election against incumbent Warisan Plus.

Earlier today, DAP’s Kepayan assemblyperson Jannie Lasimbang opined that PAS would disrupt the religious and racial harmony currently enjoyed by Sabahans should representatives from the Islamist party be given political positions.

She accused the party of having an “extremist” worldview and pointed to PAS Pasir Puteh MP Nik Muhammad Zawawi Salleh’s controversial move to call the Christian Bible “distorted” as an example.

Lasimbang also challenged GRS’ Kadazan Dusun Murut leaders to make a stand on the issue. - Mkini