Francis Paul Siah
12 Jan 2023
Malaysiakini
COMMENT Firstly, it’s important that I get this out of the way and set the record straight.
I have to declare at the outset that I find nothing wrong with PAS as a political party. I believe I have said this before. Every party shares one common objective – it is first and foremost a platform for politicians to pursue their careers in politics and PAS is no different.
The characteristics of PAS, as a political party, must surely be also about attaining power, pursuing an ideology, having a common agenda, and establishing a government.
Notwithstanding that it is a religion-based party, the direction of PAS will depend largely on who are the key people leading the party at the given time.
PAS today is seen as more extreme and bigoted under president Abdul Hadi Awang and his team. It is clear that after then PAS spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat passed away in 2015, the party has never been the same.
Many of us would surely have noted and recognised the whole world of difference between the PAS of Nik Aziz and that of Hadi.
For the record, and I’m always proud to repeat this, I had respectfully described Nik Aziz as a saint in my writing. It’s an honour I’ve accorded no other politician (not even among my fellow Christians) except Nik Aziz.
I also recall making a declaration years ago that if I were a Malay and a Muslim and keen on a political career, I would join PAS. Why? Because of Nik Aziz. Somehow, you felt safe, secure, and unlikely to be led astray when Nik Aziz was around.
PAS now run by hypocrites
Sadly, PAS today is top-heavy with hypocrites at the leadership level. For starters, head honcho Hadi had already declared that corruption is not wrong in Islam. What baloney!
I’m actually very worried that many of the first-time MPs and state assemblypersons in PAS are taking their president’s words at face value – it’s really okay to be corrupt and steal from the public coffers when you are in power.
Well, this is what the president had preached, isn’t it? Ever wonder why Hadi had chosen to settle a suit out of court involving an alleged sum of RM90 million with Sarawak Report editor Clare Rewcastle-Brown a few years ago?
I believe we know how to write the concluding chapter of the story when the main party involved preferred a “hush-hush” deal. It’s clear something that is not right has to be covered up.
So, here we are, and I’m not sorry for saying this. I’ve absolutely no respect for a leader like Hadi. I’ve described him and Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin as “sour grapes” post-GE15.
The duo, comrades in arms or partners in crime (depending on how you view them), must have strong, valid reasons as to why they are so desperate to regain power.
We cannot help but wonder whether it has something to do with the ongoing MACC probe on the billions said to be missing from the Finance Ministry. This allegedly happened under Perikatan Nasional rule when Muhyiddin was prime minister.
Why? Didn’t Hadi say that corruption is okay in Islam? Only the president’s acolytes in PAS believe his statement; the other Muslims in Malaysia probably think Hadi must either be deluded or has some vital screws loose somewhere.
Seriously, only a “mentally unstable” person would come to Sarawak and declare that only bumiputeras who are Muslims are allowed to lead Sarawak.
Hello, brother Hadi, in case you are not aware, the majority of bumiputeras (the real sons of the soil) in Sarawak are Dayaks. Oh yes, some of them are loin-cloth (cawat) wearing Ibans whom you had unapologetically mocked in the past.
No, I’m not the only one slamming PAS leaders as hypocritical. Last month, Umno veteran Shahrir Samad has taken a cynical jab at PAS leaders who are always “pure” even though Terengganu Menteri Besar Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar was on holiday abroad when the state was hit by heavy floods.
Shahrir recalled that PAS leaders opposed the idea of holding the GE15 during the flood season, but it is also possible for the party’s leaders to go on vacation when the people are facing calamities.
Samsuri later apologised for not being “present” during the critical phases of the massive floods that struck the state.
Alcohol none of PAS’ business
I must also mention another hypocritical act of another PAS leader – that of Permatang Pauh MP Muhammad Fawwaz Mohamad Jan – who courted flak from a DAP assemblyperson in Penang for “assuming the role of moral police” regarding the promotion of alcoholic beverages at a mall in the state.
It is clearly not the MP’s business to check the legitimate sale of liquor in shopping malls. In fact, it is never the duty of an MP to carry out such an act, which is against the culture and practices of those of other races and faiths.
The trouble with a newbie MP like Fawwaz is that he probably thinks that a YB belonging to a superior race or religion has every right to trample on others with impunity.
I’ve read somewhere that Fawwaz is an ustaz, 39 years old, and has two wives and 10 children.
Brother Fawwaz, here’s my little advice. Please work hard, concentrate on doing good deeds and don’t get into trouble. Bringing up 10 kids is a tall order.
Five of them could be going to college at the same time and you have to be responsible for their studies. I know that an ustaz doesn’t earn much; neither does an ordinary backbencher MP.
Do not believe what your president has espoused. Corruption is wrong in every religion. Don’t think that being a YB gives you a license to accept bribes, steal and abuse your power.
For now, stop being a busybody and mind your own business.
I must also tell you this, Fawwaz. If I were the owner of the mall, I would have shown you and your team the door immediately.
FRANCIS PAUL SIAH is a veteran Sarawak editor and heads the Movement for Change, Sarawak (MoCS). He can be reached at sirsiah@gmail.com.
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.
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