Unity chief: PAS not brewing racial discord by rebuking deputy minister

 

A PAS lawmaker has come out in defence of her colleagues who were accused of stoking racial tension over the fundraising event for Chinese vernacular schools which involved a brewery.

Dr Halimah Ali, who spearheads the party’s unity bureau, said while the foundation of its struggle is rooted in Islam, PAS, however, strives to ensure unity among the different races.

“PAS is aware and appreciates the presence of different races, therefore whatever efforts or political approaches (undertaken) take into account the interests of all races,” she added, noting how non-Muslims are free to live according to their choice in the states it governs.

The Kapar MP was commenting on two Chinese education groups condemning Selangor PAS Youth chief Mohamed Sukri Omar for purportedly using the donation issue to target a political rival from Amanah - Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Aiman Athirah Sabu.

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However, Halimah (above) argued that PAS leaders had “reprimanded” the deputy minister to “remind” the latter that it was not suitable for her, as a leader of a party claiming to champion Islam, to be present at the event which involved funds from a firm that produces alcoholic beverages.

Amanah’s Aiman Athirah Sabu

She said this should not be interpreted as an attempt to sow racial discord.

“Furthermore, as a government leader, her (Aiman’s) presence is akin to legitimising the violation of an Education Ministry circular which forbids schools from receiving money from such companies,” she added.

Halimah said PAS supported the “noble initiatives and efforts” of Chinese vernacular schools to secure funding for a conducive learning environment for their students.

“Therefore, the government must guide and encourage the hundreds more of corporate entities, which are not listed in the guidelines, to widen their respective CSR (corporate social responsibility) to contribute to the uplifting of schools (in need of funding),” she added.

Earlier today, Aiman lashed out at her detractors, labelling them as “hypocrites”.

The Sepang MP pointed out that PAS leaders had no qualms about sitting with non-Muslims who were consuming alcohol or pork during election campaigns. - Mkini