Annuar breaks ranks on race in armed forces, but PAS top brass silent

 

PAS central committee member Annuar Musa has stressed that national defence must rise above racial narrow-mindedness.

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However, the party’s top leadership has remained silent on the backlash over party president Abdul Hadi Awang’s son-in-law Zaharuddin Muhammad’s remarks about a Chinese Malaysian promoted to lieutenant general.

Although he did not mention Zaharuddin, Annuar said joining the armed forces should be regarded as a noble duty for all Malaysians.

“Let us set aside narrow racial sentiments. Let’s protect our country, together,” he added in a Facebook post.

Annuar also said the army’s promotion of Johnny Lim from major general to lieutenant general is a positive development.

Lieutenant general Johnny Lim (centre)

“It serves as encouragement for all Malaysians to view national defence as a national duty that is the responsibility of every one of us.

“Malaysians of all races and ethnic backgrounds must come forward and stand together in defending the country,” he added.

History of divisiveness

Zaharuddin’s remarks came 72 hours after PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan agreed with former law minister Zaid Ibrahim that an inclusive approach was vital to elevate the country to greater heights.

Zaid had argued that PAS, which is struggling to win over the hearts and minds of non-Malay-Muslim voters, could take Malaysia to greater heights if it combines its moral clarity with good governance and inclusivity.

Critics have long accused PAS, especially its president, of deepening racial and religious divides in Malaysia’s multiracial society. 

They argue that his rhetoric and the party’s hardline stance often alienate minority communities and undermine efforts to build a more inclusive and harmonious nation.

Zaharuddin Muhammad

Yesterday, Zaharuddin, who is the Sungai Buloh PAS division chief, penned a hypothetical scenario set in 2058 where a Chinese individual from Kampung Sungai Baru - now a Malay enclave - is appointed as Malaysia’s 50th prime minister.

He also attached a screenshot of a news article dated yesterday regarding Lim’s promotion. 

While Zaharuddin insisted that his post, which has since been deleted, is not linked to the promotion, DAP leader Lim Guan Eng asserted that the post was “inflammatory” in nature. - Mkini