Ex-PAS MP recalls being denied entry into Hadi’s office

 

The incident involving a Penang PAS leader and Gerakan president Dominic Lau has prompted a former lawmaker to recall how he was treated in a discourteous manner.

In a Facebook post, Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali said he was snubbed when he accompanied International Muslim Scholars Union secretary-general Sheikh Dr Ali Qaradaghi to meet with PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang at the Rusila mosque in Terengganu.

The Umno Ulama council executive secretary (above) said while the scholar was permitted to meet Hadi, he was however denied from entering the office.

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang

“He (Ali) was aware that I had left PAS, but he still requested my presence as his companion to maintain relations between politicians of different Islamic parties.

“Upon arriving at the mosque, I was prevented from entering Hadi’s office, and only Ali was allowed in...

“Ali almost cancelled the meeting, feeling humiliated over the denial for his companion. But I insisted he should proceed with the meeting and I waited outside the mosque,” he added.

Khairuddin said this occurred after he had left PAS last year. He was with PAS for 33 years before deciding to join Umno.

Some seven months after his exit, Khairuddin failed in his bid to defend the Kuala Nerus parliamentary seat against a PAS candidate. He had contested under the BN logo.

Negative light on Islam

Khairuddin, who also served as plantation industries and commodities minister in Muhyiddin Yassin’s cabinet, said he was disappointed that Lau was snubbed during a ceramah in Penang.

He said the incident could cast a negative light on Islam.

As an Islamist party, Khairuddin said PAS should exemplify the good morals and manners encouraged among Muslims.

“This is the danger when political parties are branded as Islamic but fail to display Islamic morals.

“It took several days for the PAS secretary-general (Takiyuddin Hassan) to issue an apology to Lau and reprimand the PAS leaders in Penang.

“Isn't that a weakness in preventing immoral conduct?

“…It is essential to exhibit both political and Islamic etiquette while engaging in politics to safeguard the reputation of Islam from being maligned,” he added.

On Tuesday night, Penang PAS secretary Iszuree Ibrahim had prevented Lau from joining other PN leaders on stage. He told the latter that he was not invited and asked him to leave. - Mkini