'Illegal pig farms real issue, not haj': PAS Youth defends Hadi

Summary

• Youth chief Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden says the real issue in Ayer Kuning is the illegal pig farms, not Abdul Hadi’s Awang’s remarks on haj pilgrimage.

• He also says Hadi’s haj remarks a non-issue as the first flight for the pilgrimage will take place three days after the by-election.

Amid brickbats over PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang’s comments on prioritising polls over haj, the party’s Youth chief Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden accused detractors of deflecting from the real issue – illegal pig farming.

“They are trying to deflect from the pig issue (illegal pig farming). They have failed to provide answers.

“Pigs are the real issue, not haj,” he said on Facebook today.

Afnan (above) also queried the people’s negative reaction towards Hadi’s remarks.

“He only spoke once, and everyone went haywire. Some even accused him of giving a wrong edict,” he added.

Prioritise win

Two days ago, Hadi reiterated calls for the Muslim community to prioritise a win in the nation’s politics, including by postponing plans to perform their haj to Mecca.

Citing lessons from the life of Prophet Muhammad, he stressed that the political dominance of Muslims over those from other religions is a matter willed by God.

However, he repeated previous grouses, asserting that Muslims here are more intent on fulfilling their pilgrimages rather than working towards achieving control over the nation.

The Marang MP’s comments drew criticism from many who accused the former of misusing religion for political gain.

Hadi’s comment also drew the Islamic Development Department’s (Jakim) attention, with its director-general Sirajuddin Suhaimee saying they are reviewing his remarks.

Touching on Hadi’s comments, Afnan said it was not an issue as the first flight for the haj pilgrimage will take place three days after the Ayer Kuning polls.

“The first flight is on April 29 and the by-election is on April 26.

“So, the flight is three days after the polls. It’s a non-issue. Have a safe trip,” he added.

On April 17, PAS vice-president Idris Ahmad claimed there were too many pig farms in Ayer Kuning, with some of the farms located in predominantly Malay-Muslim areas.

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