Gerakan president Dominic Lau has taken PAS to task over its leaders who said they wanted to close down the Genting Highlands casino.
PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari, however, assured him that such a thing would not happen and the Islamist party would not impose a “Taliban state” on non-Muslims.
The dialogue occurred at a Mid-Autumn Festival dinner with the Chinese media that Gerakan hosted last night, which Fadhli and other PAS representatives also attended.
In his speech, Lau said the casino closure remarks had put him in a difficult position.
"Recently, the media reported Pahang (PAS) leaders' statements about wanting to close the (Genting) casino.
“Wah, many people WhatsApp-ed me, saying, 'Brother, how? (PAS wants to) close the casino.’ I don't even know how to respond.
"I immediately texted (PAS deputy president) Tuan Ibrahim (Tuan Man). I said, 'Bro, this is tough, I don't know how to answer’,” he said during the event at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur.
He said Tuan Ibrahim responded by saying the remarks had been twisted and that a state government could not close down the casino.
Lau replied: “Of course, I understand (state government authority), but why did you (PAS) say you want to close the casino?”.
On Sept 15, Pahang PAS said the state chapter was prepared to shut down gambling premises, including the Genting Highlands casino, if they captured Pahang in the next general election.
However, its deputy commissioner, Andansura Rabu, did include a caveat that closing the Genting casino would likely require federal approval.
The remarks caused an uproar among the non-Muslim community as another example of PAS wanting to infringe on their rights.
Lau called on Fadhli to clear the air on the matter.
When the Pasir Mas MP took the stage later, he reiterated that closing casinos falls under the jurisdiction of the federal government, and that the Pahang state government has no authority to do so.
"We want to convey to the public that PAS will not act beyond the powers that will be granted to it.
“So, I believe there is no issue of closing casinos in Pahang as that matter falls under the federal government's jurisdiction,” he said.
PAS will defend multicultural M’sia
Fadhli then assured that if PAS comes to power, it will never become like the Taliban regime in Afghanistan or the government of Pakistan.
"People ask how PAS intends to promote Islam. Is it Islam like the Taliban in Afghanistan, which doesn't allow women to work and requires all women to wear the burqa?
"I say that PAS will be a governing party that administers the government in accordance with the social conditions in Malaysia; that is our aspiration."
He explained that PAS cannot emulate the Islamic regimes of other countries because the social environment they face is different from that of Malaysia.
"Malaysia has developed this diversity for a long time, and it is this diversity, or this multiculturalism, that we will defend forever, and that is our goal,” he said.
Fadhli cited Selangor as an example, saying PAS would not rule the state in the same way that it governs Kelantan because of the different demographics.
PAS unity bureau chairperson Dr Halimah Ali - who was also present - urged the Chinese media not to be afraid, even showcasing her Mandarin by saying, "The Moon Represents My Heart" and "Don't fear PAS."
“The Moon Represents My Heart” is the title of a song made famous by Taiwanese singer Teresa Teng.
Bersatu secretary-general Hamzah Zainudin was also invited to the dinner but could not attend due to a last-minute meeting. - Mkini
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