The Malaysian Insight

ISMAIL Sabri Yaakob should walk the talk and reprimand PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang over his racist remarks, which are against the spirit of Keluarga Malaysia that the prime minister propagates, political analysts said.

While PAS has distanced itself from Umno, it is still in Ismail’s government by way of Perikatan Nasional (PN).

Ismail’s inaction on Hadi’s overtly racist remarks could be construed as a sign of weak leadership, they said.

Ilham Centre executive director Hisommudin Bakar said Hadi’s remarks go against the spirit of Keluarga Malaysia, so the prime minister must speak up.

“As PAS is in the government, Ismail has the right to speak up against matters that don’t align with his administration,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

“Hadi’s comments will have an effect on non-Muslim voters, which will ultimately be detrimental to PN itself.

“As it is, non-Muslim voters still don’t trust PN, and with such racist remarks from Hadi, PN will not be able to attract their votes.”

While Umno may not be directly affected by Hadi’s remarks, Hisommudin said Ismail’s credibility will be questioned if he does nothing.

Last week, Hadi called Pakatan Harapan a coalition of “bribe takers and receivers” and rejected working with them. He also accused PH of being anti-Islam.

This is not the first time the Marang MP has made such remarks.

Recently, he was interviewed by police after saying non-Muslims and non-Bumiputeras were mostly responsible for corruption in Malaysia.

He is currently being investigated under section 505(C) of the penal code for issuing statements likely to incite any class or community of persons to commit any offence against any other class or community of persons, and section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act for improper use of network facilities or network services.

International Islamic University Malaysia’s Tunku Mohar Tunku Mohd Mokhtar also agreed with Hisommudin that action needs to be taken against Hadi.

“As the prime minister, Ismail should reprimand Hadi for making such racist remarks, no matter from which party Hadi is,” Tunku Mohar said.

“Those remarks are unhealthy, especially coming from a supposedly religious person.”

‘Ismail won’t do anything’

James Chin of the University of Tasmania’s Asia Institute is, however, of the view that Ismail will not do anything.

“Ismail should say something about the racist rhetoric, but he won’t,” he said.

“The reason is, they are all playing a game and positioning themselves for the next general election.

“Hadi is saying all these things to show he is Islamic and his ketuanan Melayu credentials.

“I expect Hadi to double down on his racist statements.”

Chin also said Malaysians should not buy into the Keluarga Malaysia slogan.

“Malaysians should not take these slogans seriously,” he said.

“As long as we have the Bumiputera and non-Bumiputera divide at the official level in this country, a united Malaysia is not possible.” – September 20, 2022.