PAS Youth delegate merely joking on 'marriage for votes': Non-Muslim wing

PAS non-Muslim supporters’ wing (DHPP) has dismissed a suggestion for the party’s youth leaders to marry non-Malays to gain their votes as a joke.

Its chief N Balasubramaniam said he does not want to comment on the matter as the PAS Youth delegate who mooted the idea did not really mean it.

“I have no comment on that because he (the delegate) was just joking.

“He was not being serious,” he told Malaysiakini.

Yesterday, Selangor PAS Youth secretary Aubidullah Fahim Ibrahim told delegates at the PAS Youth muktamar that the wing’s leaders should take wives from different races and cultures to get non-Malay voters for the party.

“We want to suggest that leaders of this youth wing commit cross-ethnic or cross-cultural marriage.

“The reason is that when we marry someone from another ethnicity or culture, we will not win only one more vote, but insya Allah, we will be able to get 10 or even hundreds of votes from the non-Malays or non-Muslims,” said Aubidullah.

The idea has since received brickbats from many including leaders in the federal government.

Good idea

On PAS’ top leadership’s plan to allow non-Muslims to become party members, Balasubramaniam said DHPP totally supports the idea.

The former Dewan Negara member believed that such a move could shore up support for PAS and increase its membership among the non-Muslims.

“This is an Islamic party. When they are willing to accept non-Muslims as party members, I believe many will be happy because PAS is a party that is fair to all.

“It will be a factor that can bring more non-Muslims to PAS, as its supporters and voters,” he said.

Earlier today, PAS spiritual leader Hashim Jasin said the party will discuss in its main muktamar tomorrow about letting non-Muslims join the party.

PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man also mentioned the plan two days ago, saying that it can help PAS get closer to the non-Muslims.

The Islamist party only allows Muslims to become its members, with DHPP for non-Muslims who support its cause.

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