HADI’S PROPOSAL DRAWS FLAK FROM BN PARTIES
MIC, MCA and Gerakan say Pas head must not segregate Malaysians based on race, religion
ARFA YUNUS KUALA LUMPUR news@nst.com.my
PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang’s remark that the cabinet line-up should consist of only Malay Muslims is not contributing towards fostering race relations in the country.
MIC treasurer-general Datuk Seri S. Vell Paari said as a multiracial country, Malaysia’s leadership required the participation of various ethnicities in key government positions.
He said Malaysian minorities should not be “penalised and sidelined” from the country’s administration due to differences in race and religion.
“As an example, MIC president Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam, who is a medical practitioner, is qualified to develop policies related to the health industry, which is inclusive of Muslims and non-Muslims.
“Furthermore, the deputy health minister is a Muslim, and there have always been discussions (between the minister and his deputy) in the ministry on health policies.
“In the end, the wellbeing of rakyat is of paramount importance,” Vell Paari said yesterday.
On Friday, in an opinion piece published by Pas’s mouthpiece, Harakah Daily, Hadi said Islam had outlined that a national leader and his cabinet members must profess the Islamic faith.
Hadi quoted Islamic scholar al-Mawardi, who stated that while it was required by Islam for non-Muslims to be appointed as ministers, their role would be restricted to management duties.
Vell Paari said to ensure unity, Malaysia must be supported by a structure centred on power sharing and consensus, as exemplified through the Barisan Nasional administration.
“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, this (concept of power sharing and consensus) has been improved, where the prime minister listens and takes into consideration the views and opinions of component parties represented by different races, cultures and backgrounds.
“BN works as a multiracial coalition, as reflected by our government.”
MCA religious harmony bureau chairman Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker said Hadi had made an erroneous interpretation of the principles of democracy concerning the rights of minorities.
“Democracy requires the participation of minorities so that their rights would not be violated,” Ti said.
Echoing his sentiments was Gerakan vice-president Datuk Dr Dominic Lau, who said Hadi should not segregate Malaysians based on race and religion.
Lau said the uniqueness and strength of Malaysia were in its diversity.
“We have many Malays, Chinese, Indians, Bumiputeras, Catholics and others. This is the uniqueness of Malaysia, which should be reflected in the cabinet and policymakers.
“We are proud to say that we are truly Asian because we managed to do this (lead the country) together. Gerakan disagrees with Hadi, especially since our ideology centres on us all being ‘Anak Malaysia’ (children of Malaysia).”
Pas deputy president Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said the meaning of Hadi’s commentary piece had been misconstrued.
He said there was no particular sentence in the commentary which stated that Hadi wanted an only all-Malay cabinet.
“The main point of his comments was that a Malay-Muslim should lead in the context of the political system and nation’s administrative structure based on Islamic political jurisprudence, with non-Muslims playing a role in areas of expertise and management.
Tuan Ibrahim’s view was backed by Pas information chief, Nasruddin Hassan.
“Pas stresses on the importance and need for a Malay-Muslim to be at the core (prime minister as Wazirul Tafwid) in the political system and nation’s administrative structure based on Islamic political jurisprudence.
“In fact, Hadi admitted and recognised the position and role of non-Muslims in a government,” Nasruddin said.