PAS: Harapan surrounds itself with the ‘corrupt’

A PAS central committee member has accused Pakatan Harapan of surrounding themselves with those involved in the "sin industry" and "black economy" – who tend to engage in corruption.

In an article published in Harakah Daily yesterday, Mohd Zuhdi Marsuki claimed that those in these two areas of the economy sought the protection of "non-bumiputera political parties" to keep their ill-gotten gains.

"During the time of the fourth prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, those in the 'sin industry' or 'black economy' were putting pressure on the authorities.

"They tried the same during Pak Lah's (Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) administration. However, Pak Lah introduced Islam Hadhari while declaring Malaysia as an Islamic State.

"This led to (such businesses) looking for a 'new master' among non-bumiputera political parties," said Zuhdi, who is a former science lecturer at Universiti Malaya.

In recent years, Zuhdi (above) added, the "sin industry" and "black economy" were threatened due to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and PAS' attempt to implement amendments to the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965, also known as Act 355.

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang

According to Zuhdi, Act 355 amendments were a "nightmare" for the "sin industry" and "black economy", which they must prevent at all costs.

"It is clear why the 'sin industry' and 'black economy' are against PAS.

"However, they cannot appear in public... (thus) they surround PAS' main enemy, which is Harapan.

"Those in the 'sin industry' and 'black economy' consist of many bribe-givers. When they are attacked by the PAS president, Harapan will respond," said Zuhdi.

Zuhdi's article was a response to criticisms against PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang's article last week, where he accused the non-bumiputera of being "the majority of bribe-givers".

This has led to numerous police reports being lodged against Hadi.

Hadi is currently being investigated under Section 505(C) of the Penal Code for allegedly causing public mischief and incitement, as well as Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 2008 for abuse of network services. - Mkini