KUALA LUMPUR – PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang has criticised certain Muslim quarters for treating their voting responsibility with indifference, to the point that they are unaware of who holds power.
He said that politics is a fundamental duty in Islam and that choosing a leader is also obligatory; therefore, he urged Muslims to avoid division and fighting among themselves.
“Because such conflicts would undermine collective interests and weaken political influence,” he added.
The Perikatan Nasional deputy chairman also stressed the importance of fulfilling the responsibility to vote, adding that neglecting this duty effectively transfers political power to the winning party.
“Don’t underestimate the significance of voting. Choosing to vote means giving political power to whoever wins the election.
“If we don’t go out to vote, we risk empowering imcompetent candidates to win. In the end, we will suffer consequences and danger in the future,” he added.
Hadi also urged the people of Kuala Kubu Baharu to look back and learn from the outcomes of the by-elections held in Kemaman, Perlis, Kelantan, and Melaka if they want to see change.
“There is no benefit for us Muslims to be divided; we should avoid conflict and instead focus on strengthening the unity of Islam.
“We should not engage in internal strife or become pawns in the hands of others. Fighting amongst ourselves only serves to relinquish political power to outsiders,” he added.
Hadi was speaking at PN’s ceramah at the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election in Bandar Utama, Batang Kali, last night.
Other leaders in attendance were PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, PN deputy chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu, Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Hamzah Zainuddin, PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan, and PN Kuala Kubu Baharu election director Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali.
Hadi also went on to say that it is important for voters to reject candidates from parties whose policies and ideologies directly conflict with Islam.
“Islam is the federal religion; DAP is trying to equate Islam in Malaysia with other religions; Islam is not the national religion anymore. They want to eliminate the power of Islam; this is DAP’s struggle.
“Before voting this Saturday, one should consider the merits and struggles of the party, not solely the individual candidate.”
“When the party openly contradicts Islam and contradicts our political power, then Muslims must reject this kind of party.
Polling day for the Kuala Kubu Baharu seat, one of the three state seats under the Hulu Selangor parliamentary constituency, is set for this Saturday.
The seat fell vacant following the death of assemblywoman Lee Kee Hiong in March due to cancer. She had defended the seat for PH-DAP since winning in 2013.
Contenders for the seat include Pang Sock Tao (Pakatan Harapan), Khairul Azhari Saut (Perikatan Nasional), Hafizah Zainudin (Parti Rakyat Malaysia), and Nyau Ke Xin (independent). – May 10, 2024