PAS under Hadi has strayed far from founding struggles, says Saifuddin

PAS under the leadership of its president Abdul Hadi Awang has strayed far from its original cause, according to Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

He described the party’s rhetoric during its recently concluded 70th muktamar as “the pinnacle of politics of hate” where slander and insults were used against political opponents.

In a lengthy statement, Saifuddin (above) cast PAS under Hadi as hypocrites who fantasise about seizing power but are devoid of ideas on tackling society’s problems and instead sow hatred among people.

“Do the various abuses (of power), hostilities, and hatred coming from PAS indicate that the party today is driven more by their impulses (nafsu) and has lost Allah’s mercy?

“Do PAS members realise that beneath the Quranic and Hadith-laden arguments lie attitudes and behaviours that actually deviate from Islamic teachings?

“Are PAS followers and leaders aware that their values, positions, messages, and approaches increasingly resemble those of the Khawarij, and that Hadi is fully responsible for cultivating these values and practices for the past 40 years?” he questioned.

Saifuddin said the likes of PAS’ former leaders Zulkifli Muhammad, Burhanuddin Al Hilmi, Fadzil Mohd Noor, Yusuf Rawa, and Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat would shed tears witnessing the party’s decline.

“This includes Hadi’s failure to defend Terengganu during the 1999 general election, where he served as menteri besar for just one term, and be remembered for his weak and incompetent leadership,” he said in a statement.

‘Inaccurate and misleading’

Among others, Hadi in his speech at the party’s annual muktamar held in Temerloh, Pahang, claimed that the present federal government was like the agenda of the munafiq group or hypocrites during the early years of Islam in Medina, Saudi Arabia.

Munafiq refers to a person who in public shows he or she is a Muslim but rejects Islam or speaks against the faith in his or her heart, or when among enemies of the religion.

Responding to the hypocrite claim, Saifuddin said historical facts show that Madinah was ruled by Prophet Muhammad SAW and his faithful followers, not by hypocrites.

“Therefore, comparing the coalition government to the hypocrites in Medina is inaccurate and misleading.

“From a religious perspective, it is inappropriate to accuse anyone of being a hypocrite as faith is known only to Allah, and we as humans do not have the right or ability to judge another’s faith,” he said.

Saifuddin also narrated various points during Prophet Muhammad’s leadership of Madinah, including the signing of the charter that united both Muslims and non-Muslims.

He argued this was unlike Hadi’s statements and actions with alleged tendencies to sow divisiveness.

“We must avoid divisive rhetoric and instead prioritise constructive dialogue to address the nation’s challenges.

“As responsible leaders, statements should be based on facts and foster unity, not division.

“We must also be critical in evaluating the use of religion, distinguishing between political interests and the genuine well-being of the ummah,” he stressed.

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