Nik Abduh: Hadi’s rejection of local polls is PAS’ view

(The Star) – PAS central committee member Nik Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz has added to the party’s row with DAP over local elections, saying they do not necessarily serve justice to the people.

Nik Abduh, son of PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat, defended party president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang in rejecting local council elections, championed by its Pakatan Rakyat ally DAP.

“PAS has always rejected local council elections. It is not a personal view from the president. It is very unfortunate for PAS leaders who think as such,” said the Pasir Mas MP in a statement.

“Achieving justice or eliminating injustice through elections does not equate to democracy. PAS understands democracy in a more Islamic framework, not through some means to justice that can be easily altered and bound by terms and suitability,” he said.

Nik Abduh said such ideology had failed in Western countries, which promotes selective democracy.

“These are also the countries which intensify their veto powers for their own interest in the United Nations to take away the majority rights in making a decision,” he said.

The squabble between DAP and PAS broke out when Hadi claimed that local council elections could lead to a repeat of the May 13 riots.

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng had called the Islamist party “dishonest,” claiming PAS had agreed to the implementation of the “third vote.”

This was denied by PAS secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ali who challenged Lim to a debate on the issue.

In a bid to diffuse the tension between the two parties, Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Hadi’s remark was his personal opinion and that the matter had to be discussed for a decision.