Hadi calls for cease of provocations, respect voters’ decisions

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang has called for a cease to provocations following the 15th general elections (GE15).

This came amid a rise in racial rhetoric on social media, including threats of May 13 aimed at those who voted for Pakatan Harapan.

Hadi (above), in a statement today, said all should respect the choices made by voters last Saturday.

"Malaysia is now going through an important phase in forming a government through parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy processes.

"As such, PAS calls on all to uphold the Federal Constitution, respect laws and safeguard public order as well as prevent any provocations that could threaten harmony in the country," he said.

Hadi warned that people should not stir a hornet's nest for the sake of the country.

However, the PAS leader had in the past, time and again, attacked non-Muslims and the predominantly Chinese party DAP. Among others, he claimed non-Muslims were the “root of corruption” in the country. The police are investigating Hadi for the remark.

Saturday's election resulted in a hung Parliament, with Harapan and Perikatan Nasional being the two biggest blocs.

There is now a tussle aimed at securing a majority in order to form the next government.

However, several posts warning about a possible repeat of the deadly May 13, 1969 race riots, posted on TikTok in the last 48 hours after polling day, had accumulated over several hundred thousand views.

The videos or their creators had no identifiable links to one another but they propagated a similar narrative targeted at Malay-Muslim viewers, alleging political dominance by DAP if the party is allowed to be a part of any government

Harapan chief Anwar Ibrahim said the fanning of racial sentiments was worrying.

Inspector-General of Police Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani had also warned social media users not to misuse their platforms to spread provocative content that could lead to public unrest.

Similarly, Perikatan Nasional Youth information chief Mohd Ashraf Mustaqim Badrul Munir said his coalition rejects any form of messaging with racial elements.

"PN has never used racial narratives. PN is clearly multi-ethnic and multi-religious. We respect one another on the basis of integration, prosperity and consociationalism," he said.

However, PN leader Muhyiddin Yassin was embroiled in a controversy days before the elections where he claimed Harapan was an agent of Jews and Christians who were out to colonise Malaysia.

Meanwhile, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke urged Malaysians to keep calm and remain patient while the government was being formed.

"DAP will also uphold the principles of the Rukun Negara and defend the Federal Constitution. We also urge our members to ensure that peace and harmony are maintained at all times.

"Peace and harmony must always be maintained as we celebrate our democracy which is increasingly flourishing," he said.

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