PAS Youth calls for ‘Bersih 2’ gathering
(Free Malaysia Today) – Tomorrow begins the 56th PAS convention in Kelantan, the political bastion of the oldest Islamic party in the country.
PAS has come a long way from the youthful days of spiritual leader Nik Aziz Nik Mat and president Hadi Abdul Awang.
From being a beacon of light and religion for the devout Muslims, it is now carving a vision of hope for multi-religious Malaysia. Leading this agenda is the new generation of women and youths and non-Muslim supporters.
PAS has formed its non-Muslim wing whose members will observe the proceedings this time around, while its Youth and women wings will chart the next course of action for the 13th general election.
Said PAS Youth convention chief Suhaizan Kaiat: “We will not wait. We will act, in a collective fashion, the way we have moved our people on the ground over the sports betting issue.”
Sports betting is expected to be the hottest and most exciting topic at the convention. PAS youths have been at the forefront of the campaign against gambling.
“We demand that the government revoke the licence legalising sports betting,” said Suhaizan, referring to the the permit issued to Berjaya Corporation Group (BCG) in time for the the World Cup football season which kicks off on Friday in South Africa.
The federal government is reportedly expected to rake in RM60 billion in tax revenue from a wide range of betting activities as the World Cup gets under way. BCG has said that apart from retail outlet sales, there will also be online and telephone betting facilities.
Both Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and BCG’s Vincent Tan have come under tremendous public pressure over the issue.
While during the day delegates will rip apart and dissect the federal government’s “socially destructive” decision, the nights will be a gathering of like-minded souls in sports and prayer in this Islamic state, which has been under PAS rule for over 20 years.
“Sports betting is only second to our top issue, which is the Bersih 2 gathering.
“In November 2007, our Bersih gathering had urged the Umno-Barisan Nasional government to fulfil our four demands. But to date nothing has happened.
‘In this convention, we will urge the PAS leadership to hold a Bersih 2 assembly,” said Suhaizan.
