The Malaysian Insight

ACTION should be taken against PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang over his statement that most perpetrators of corruption are non-Muslims and non-Bumiputera, Lim Guan Eng said today. 

The national DAP chairman said these accusations were baseless, divisive and racist. 

“Police reports should be lodged, and action taken against Hadi for his baseless, divisive, racist and extremist branding of non-Muslims and non-bumi as ‘roots for corruption’ in Malaysia.  

“To date, Hadi has remained unrepentant and unashamed,” Lim said in a statement.

The Bagan MP said this is also not the first time Hadi has indulged in hate speech against non-Muslims and non-Bumiputera. 

“He previously stated that non-Muslims have no right to take up important ministerial posts in the cabinet.  

“Hadi has also falsely alleged that non-Muslims and non-bumi are snatching political power from Malays and Muslims, even though the posts of prime minister, deputy prime minister, every principal and senior civil servants, armed forces and police have never been held by non-Bumiputera or non-Muslims.  

“At the same time, PAS wants to ban concerts, Oktoberfest and the Bon Odori cultural festival even when these events are attended only by non-Muslims or they are only cultural events that have been organised for decades without any untoward incident.” 

Lim said Hadi has been emboldened in his behaviour because those in government condoned it. 

“Not a single non-Muslim minister has brought up this issue in cabinet and that PAS ministers should be ministers for all Malaysians and not just Muslims and Bumiputeras. 

“Malaysians, especially those from Sabah and Sarawak, cannot permit PAS to spread its ideology of hate, which is a clear and present danger to the sanctity of the Federal Constitution, integrity of the nation and unity of our people. PAS cannot be allowed to play any role in government unless it publicly apologises and disavows such a racist and extremist ideology.” 

Last week Hadi said  most of the perpetrators of corruption in Malaysia were non-Muslims and non-Bumiputera. 

He said only Muslims had integrity. 

Human rights group Transparency International Malaysia said Hadi’s remarks were “baseless and provocative”. – August 23, 2022.