Hadi’s claim on corruption not based on reality, says Bersatu man

“Who wants corruption? Tok Guru’s statement will make it harder for us to attract non-Bumiputera voters”

(FMT) – PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang’s claim that non-Muslims and non-Bumiputeras are at the root of corruption is not based on reality, says a Bersatu leader.

“We can see for ourselves the political leaders who go up and down the courts for corruption cases are generally Bumiputeras,” Bersatu’s associate wing chief, Chong Fat Full, told FMT.

“He cannot say that non-Bumiputeras are ruining the country’s politics and economy.”

In a Facebook post on Saturday, Hadi also said it was a fact that the majority of those involved in ruining the country’s politics and economy were non-Muslims and non-Bumiputeras.

Bersatu’s associate wing is composed of non-Muslim members of the party who are tasked with attracting non-Malay support for the Muhyiddin Yassin-led Bersatu and Perikatan Nasional (PN).

Chong said Hadi’s “extreme” statement had made the wing’s mission more difficult.

“Who wants corruption? Tok Guru’s statement will make it harder for us to attract non-Bumiputera voters,” he said.

“He is talking as if the wing (consisting of non-Muslims) is ruining Bersatu.”

PN consists of Bersatu, PAS, Gerakan, STAR and SAPP. Except for Bersatu and PAS, the other three parties represent non-Muslim and non-Malay communities.

Chong, who is a former Pemanis assemblyman, said that although Hadi was one of the key leaders in PN, his statement “cannot represent the coalition”.

“Tok Guru is a part of PN, so we have to try hard to explain that his views do not represent PN,” he said.

“There are various races in PN. We (Bersatu associate wing) cannot accept this. I think even STAR and Gerakan will reject it,” he said.

Yesterday, STAR Youth chief Kong Soon Choi urged Hadi to issue a public apology to “cool down” the tense situation.

When contacted, a PAS Supporters’ Wing spokesman refused to comment. “It’s not nice as he’s the president. Sorry, I might get into trouble,” the spokesman said.