PAS denies its president promoting all-Malay cabinet

(FMT) – PAS today denied its president, Abdul Hadi Awang, had stated that only Malay Muslims should be cabinet ministers.

On the contrary, the party’s deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said Hadi’s statement was twisted by the media, thereby incurring harsh criticism from Pakatan Harapan.

“Not a single sentence in the president’s statement had pointed to him wanting an all-Malay cabinet.

“The PAS president only meant that a Malay Muslim should lead the political landscape in Malaysia and that non-Muslims could contribute in terms of expertise and management.

“Islam states that the nation’s leader and his cabinet members should be Muslim and from the most influential race.

“But, at the same time, Islam is just in giving rights to the non-Muslims in politics, economics and other matters,” he said in a statement.

Tuan Ibrahim also challenged Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional to state that they disagree the country should be led by a Muslim leader.

“This is the policy that has been accepted by PPBM, DAP, PKR, Amanah and BN.

“In accusing the PAS president of being a racist, are they saying that they disagree a Muslim should lead the country? If so, please say so openly.

“If this is indeed the case, then why is it that PPBM does not open its membership to non-Malays?

“Why is Pakatan Harapan playing racial politics in the way they arrange their top posts so that it is seen as though only Malays are leading while in truth, DAP has the largest number of parliamentary seats?”

Hadi, through a statement that was published on its official portal Harakahdaily last Friday, said non-Muslims — under an Islamic government — could become cabinet members but with limited powers.

Quoting an 11th century ulama, Al-Mawardi, Hadi said non-Muslims could still play a role in administration but only in terms or management and not policy-making.

This stance was criticised by PPBM’s strategy and policy bureau head Rais Hussin and Amanah vice-president Mujahid Yusof Rawa as well as former federal judge Gopal Sri Ram.