HADI: DR M SHOULD REPENT
THE Pas president says the former premier, who had called him an infidel and traitor for cooperating with Umno, is desperate.
“HE is already old, but let him come to his senses. Hopefully, he repents.” This was Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang’s reaction to Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad labelling him as an “infidel” and a “traitor” for cooperating with Umno.
When met after launching the Pas election machinery for the state constituency of Berangan on Wednesday, Hadi said in labelling him as an infidel and traitor, it showed how “extreme” the former prime minister had become.
Hadi said Dr Mahathir’s attack was also personal in nature, which smacked as a political tactic to bring down leaders.
“Of course it is extreme (to label me an infidel and a traitor).”
Hadi said Dr Mahathir, who is Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia chairman, would end up hurting himself with his latest outburst.
“It looks like he is desperate, with his back against the wall. When he is against the wall, he can’t move, so he is forced to bulldoze his way through; then unwittingly he breaks his head. Do not break your own head.”
Hadi, who is also Marang member of parliament, called on Dr Mahathir to repent for his latest remarks.
“He has to sit down and reflect (on what he had said). He needs to think and read a lot. Don’t just read medical books; he should also read books on Islam.
“I leave it to him to repent. Between both of us, I have forgiven him. Between him and God, he needs to repent.”
Earlier, in his speech, Hadi said Pas had been extremely patient with Dr Mahathir, particularly when he was prime minister, for opposing the Islamic party’s efforts to strengthen the path of Islamic administration.
“When we (Pas administration) passed Islamic laws in Kelantan, he warned that in the event the laws were implemented, the Federal Government would take action (against the implementation).”
Hadi said Dr Mahathir had also insulted Islam when he opposed the Islamic party’s stand on aurat (body parts that must be covered in public according to Islam).
“He (Dr Mahathir) said it (aurat) is not a religious practice, only customary in nature. He did not want us to implement Islamic law.”
However, Hadi said under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, Umno and Pas, through the practice of “mature and peaceful politics”, were able to meet and agree on the implementation of several Islamic laws.
“We can discuss with the current prime minister, as we need to undertake several changes. In Dr Mahathir’s era, he does not even want to consider implementing Islamic laws.”
On Dr Mahathir’s allegation that Hadi was responsible for the Memali incident, Hadi said he had written a book explaining the episode.
“I do not want to repeat (myself). Refer to the book, that is enough,” he said.
Commenting on former Pas leader Datuk Mahfuz Omar’s resignation from the party, Hadi said the Pokok Sena member of parliament had already “left Pas a long time ago”.
“It is akin to a man who had died long ago, whose body we want to only bury now.”
Meanwhile, in Kota Baru, Pas vice-president Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah said ironically, it was Dr Mahathir who had “betrayed” the opposition and caused the ongoing controversies in the Pakatan Harapan pact.
Amar was referring to issues concerning the pact’s prime minister candidates and support for Dr Mahathir, among others.
“His presence in the opposition is causing more trouble. We can see what had happened in PKR and other parties in the opposition.
“He (Dr Mahathir) is not helping the opposition in facing Barisan Nasional in the coming general election,” he said at his office.