Kelantan education group ticks off Hadi over accusation against DAP, warns against slander

The Kelantan Pondok Schools Association has urged all political leaders, especially those carrying an Islamist image or name, to be more responsible when issuing statements and avoid causing societal division.

The group’s call comes following PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang’s recent claim that DAP is leading Pakatan Harapan in promoting a colonial agenda aimed at eliminating Islam and the Malays.

Commenting on the accusation, association chairperson Zulkarnain Harun, also known as Baba Zul, cautioned that the unfounded statement is slanderous and no clear evidence has been provided to support the claim.

Zulkarnain (above) emphasised that an influential political leader bears a great responsibility, as their every word carries two consequences: serving as a bridge that unites society, or a fire that incites division.

“Such heavy accusations not only create prejudice and hatred, but also have the potential to divide Muslims and damage multiracial harmony in this country,” he said in a statement yesterday.

He added that Hadi’s latest diatribe against DAP has only highlighted the Marang MP’s confusion on the framework of parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy in Malaysia.

Zulkarnain pointed out that Malaysia is not a country where any political party can act as it pleases because governing power is subject to the Federal Constitution, the Malay rulers, Parliament, laws, and the principles of checks and balances.

“Islam’s has a clear position through Article 3 of the Federal Constitution, while the special position of the Malays and natives of Sabah and Sarawak is protected under Article 153.

“So, portraying DAP’s participation in the government as automatically enabling the party to eliminate Malays and Islam is an inaccurate representation of the country’s system of governance,” he affirmed.

DAP upholds Federal Constitution

Yesterday, DAP central executive committee member Sheikh Umar Bagharib Ali stressed that the party has always upheld the Federal Constitution and acted within legal bounds.

He noted that if DAP truly rejected Islam, the party would have been banned long ago for defying what is enshrined in the Constitution.

DAP and PAS had cooperated in the past, with the two parties even forming state governments together under the previous Pakatan Rakyat pact.

In August 2012, Hadi defended DAP in the wake of media reports attempting to assert that it was forbidden for Muslims to vote for the party, viewing it as a “malicious attempt” by Umno to stay in power.

“This is a malicious act and approach. Let there be fights and wars as long as we (Umno) continue to rule,” he said when commenting on front-page news in Utusan Malaysia for two consecutive days regarding the matter.

‘Hadi’s approach contradicts syariah principles’

Zulkarnain said the political approach currently adopted by Hadi contradicts syariah principles, which emphasise justice, “tabayyun” (verification), and the prohibition of making accusations without proof.

Citing Quranic verses, Zulkarnain said Islam clearly calls on its followers to avoid negative assumptions, as doing so could lead to the accumulation of sins.

As for the current administration, Zulkarnain said the federal government is a coalition of various parties, and every policy must go through established administrative, legal, and institutional processes.

“Islam does not become strong through slander. Malays do not become strong through fear. The nation does not become solid through division.

“It is time for national politics to move away from the politics of fear-mongering to a politics of solutions, (namely) competing to offer the best ideas to improve the economy, lower the cost of living, provide jobs, strengthen education, eradicate poverty, and improve the people’s well-being.

“Let us build a politics rooted in knowledge, facts, justice, morality, and public interest, for the sake of a respected Islam, a united populace, and a peaceful and prosperous Malaysia,” he added.

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