Anwar Ibrahim's purported ‘pro-LGBT’ (Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transexuals) stance has been cited by sacked PAS leader Hasan Ali as a major hindrance to their working relationship.

NONE "This is the reason why I cannot work with him. This is why Malaysians should reject Anwar,” he told a press conference at his home in Kuala Lumpur today.

"LGBTs to be legalised in Malaysia? God forbid! I foresee difficult times if that happens.”

Hasan was responding to Anwar's response to the issue in a recent interview with the BBC in Mumbai, India.

Anwar had said that archaic Victorian laws no longer have a place in today's world as it may not be appropriate to punish people for personal choices.

NONE Asked to comment on Anwar's remark that Pakatan Rakyat should rid itself of money-grubbing and power-hungry leaders, Hasan hit back at the Opposition Leader.

"Who is power crazy? Is it me or Anwar? Who is the one who gathered people all over the country, including Sabah, to seize Putrajaya on Sept 16 (2008)? Who is the one who said that he will still be PM even if he is in jail?

"Hasan Ali never said those things. Not me. Who is power crazy? I am sure you can figure it out. You are smart," said Hasan, smiling.

'Anwarisation of PAS'

Hasan also said he would not succumb to the lure of riches.

"I was a training and corporate consultant. I made a lot of money then. You can ask my wife, she knows.

"But I gave it all away to join the struggle. Do you know how much I lost when I decided to join PAS for the last 15 years?"

"And I was (Selangor) exco in charge of infrastructure. All those projects, big JKR contracts. I never took a single sen.

"I am clean in this regard. I must say that I am not one to succumb to such temptations. I never did, though maybe some of my colleagues did.”

Hasan also blamed Anwar's influence on PAS as a reason for the party’s weaknesses and failure to defend Islam.

NONE "In this regard (defending Islam), I must rate PAS a failure. As some of my friends (have written recently), DAP and PKR are making use of (PAS)... and there is the 'Anwarisation' of PAS," he added.

Meanwhile, PAS vice-president Mahfuz Omar ( left ) pointed out that it is the government which has failed to tackle gay issues.

“I’ve not listened to what Anwar said but we can look for ourselves, right here in our backyard,” said Mahfuz when asked about Anwar’s opinion that laws involving homosexuality should be amended.

The PAS central committee member signalled at the alleys behind the party headquarters in Jalan Raja Laut, Kuala Lumpur, to show that laws have not dealt with problems in a location long known to be a “prostitution den”.

Lorong Haji Taib, Mahfuz said, was an example of the government’s ineffective measures in addressing the “gay and pondan" (derogatory term to describe effeminate men or transgender women) issue.

Additional reporting by S Pathmawathy

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