Shed DAP lens to see PAS is for all, non-Muslims told

 

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, in the last muktamar, had directed members to win over the hearts and minds of the non-Muslim electorate.

But this continues to be a tall order.

A Selangor PAS leader, however, believes that the jaundiced perspective can be changed if non-Muslims become acquainted with PAS, not through the lens of DAP or Pakatan Harapan.

Roslan Shahir Mohd Shahir accused DAP and Harapan of harbouring a nefarious agenda of sowing distrust and fear towards PAS, which the latter wants to correct through its “PAS for all” slogan.

Under the PAS banner, he said all can live and earn in peace without racism or discrimination.

“No Chinese or Tamil schools will be closed, no temples or churches will be demolished,” Roslan (above) told Harakah, adding that the people in the four states under PAS can attest to this.

Safeguarding welfare of all races

Roslan said the “PAS for all” slogan is an attempt to undo the vile allegations and slander, as well as to prove that the Islam championed by the party is not a threat to non-Muslims.

“On the contrary, it promises something better for all. Because it envisions a government that is clean and free from corruption, that is responsible for safeguarding the welfare of all races,” he added.

Roslan said PAS is not a “mosquito” party but has been in existence for seven decades and boasts of more than one million members.

“It is the biggest party in Parliament, controlling 43 seats, leads four states and has representatives in all states, except Sarawak,” he added.

He said PAS has managed to conquer the support of Malay-Muslim voters, who in the past had cast their ballots for Umno and BN.

“The figures, however, show that PAS has not been successful in winning the support of non-Malays. PAS’ political enemies, DAP and Harapan, have contributed to this factor.

“It is proven that DAP continues to incite and create fear among the non-Malays by portraying PAS as a violent extremist party.

“In reality, the Islam championed by PAS is different. In fact, justice and well-being for all guaranteed by Islam is ensured for all. This is PAS’ objective,” he said, appealing to the non-Malays to give PAS a chance.

Roslan was responding to political observer Azmi Hassan from Akademi Nusantara who claimed that the the “PAS for all”  slogan in Selangor would serve to exacerbate the fear of non-Malays towards the party.

“If there is a large movement, it will scare the non-Malay voters and Harapan supporters, who before this did not vote for Umno, to support Umno (candidates in the election),” he told FMT.

The “PAS for all” slogan was first used in the 2008 general election when the Islamist party was part of the opposition coalition together with DAP.

Selangor PAS has revived the slogan for the coming 16th general election. - Mkini