DAP Youth: PAS bankrupt of ideas for criticising frequent concerts

PAS’ latest criticism on the "frequency” of concerts in Malaysia, which the Islamist party claimed “will anger Allah", shows how bankrupt it is of ideas, lamented DAP Youth chief Dr Kelvin Yii.

He accused PAS of having nothing else constructive to offer to the people but to create animosity in a multicultural and plural society.

Yii said when Malaysians are grappling with a surge in the cost of living and a gloomy economy, all PAS seems to care about is to "moral police" others while often trying to interfere with their rights that are protected under the Federal Constitution.

"PAS should acknowledge and respect that Malaysians are able to think and evaluate any form of entertainment for themselves, and that the fate of the country lies on good governance and policies rather than the number of concerts we have,” the Bandar Kuching MP said in a statement today.

PAS Youth yesterday condemned holding concerts in the country, which it claimed was happening “again and again” (bertalu-talu).

“The holding of concerts, again and again, is madness and invites Allah’s anger. Stop it.

“Don’t challenge the emotions of Muslims. Authorities should listen to the voice of Muslims before incurring Allah’s wrath,” said the wing’s chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari.

Fadhli did not appear to be referring to any particular concert, but his statement was made less than 24 hours after the international singer Billie Eilish held a concert at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, on Thursday night.

In response, Yii said what brings "real anger" is blatant corruption, bad governance, inequality, discrimination, oppressive laws, and even threats of harm against another, including members of the judiciary, which PAS is silent about.

"All these divisive rhetoric are merely a smokescreen for their leader's incompetence in government in dealing with real issues that affect all Malaysians as well as their deafening silence against their own partners in government who are involved in grand corruption and kleptocracy.

"This is why there should not be a place for PAS in positions of power in our country where they can influence and formulate national policies that affect us all including our children," he DAP lawmaker added.

‘Covering up failure of PAS ministers’

In a separate statement, Federal Territory DAP Youth publicity secretary Raja Ahmad Iskandar Fareez said Fadhli's call to ban concerts is merely a 'red herring'.

He said the call is meant to cover up the failure of PAS ministers in the federal government.

“Both Tuan Ibrahim and Takiyuddin thwarted the progress of Malaysia's climate and environment agenda previously championed by the Harapan administration.

“On the other hand, the second deputy agriculture and food industries minister was ineffective while the country underwent severe disruptions of the food supply chain that led to the skyrocketing prices of goods,” said Ahmad.

He said PAS should not fan religious anxieties to compensate for the party’s dearth of ideas on how to improve the lives of everyday Malaysians.

He also asked if this position on concerts will waver, like PAS’ previous opposition towards cinemas.

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