‘ANWAR IS INCONSISTENT’
Pas president slams PKR president-elect for not being consistent in his Islamic practices
PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang has hit out at Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, saying that the PKR president-elect could not be trusted as a Muslim and a leader.
At a media conference on Sunday night after delivering a speech to campaign for Pas’ candidate in the Port Dickson by-election, Lieutenant Colonel
(Rtd) Mohd Nazari Mokhtar, Hadi described Anwar as being inconsistent in his Islamic practices.
For example, he said Anwar would indulge in other religious practices according to his surroundings.
“We live in a multiracial community. We respect the freedom to embrace any religion. But we must be consistent with our religion and race.
“For example, he (Anwar) becomes an imam in the mosque, but in Sikh places (gurdwaras), he dressed up like a Sikh and in Tamil places (Hindu temples), he dances according to Tamil tunes.”
He said Anwar should hold on to his self-identity.
“We have our own (religious) culture.
“And the Hindus respect us if we have our own identity.
“(If we uphold our own cultural values), the Hindus will not be angry with us. The Chinese will not be angry with us.
“We can hold (religious) dialogues with anyone. But we must be consistent with our self-identity.”
Earlier in his speech Hadi said a leader, in alluding to Anwar, must be chosen based on his consistency with his identity.
“Now, we have a person who berlakon (impersonates) according to his surroundings. Inconsistent. We need to understand this. When choosing a leader, we must not do so based on worldly requirements.”
Hadi claimed that Anwar did not have “faith in his own race” as he had chosen to stand in Port Dickson, where the Malays only formed 43 per cent of the population.
“He picked a place dominated by other races. If he does not believe in his own race (to support him), how will the others put their faith in him?”
The Port Dickson by-election was called after incumbent Datuk Danyal Balagopal Abdullah vacated the seat to pave the way for Anwar’s return to Parliament.
Anwar is now locked in a seven cornered battle for the seat.
Polling day has been fixed on Oct 13.
Hadi said Pas would work with any party which could help its campaign in Port Dickson.
On whether there was a possibility that Umno members were aiding the Pas campaign quietly, he replied: “This is a democratic country and Pas accepts anyone willing to help us.
“On people supporting on the sly, I don’t know about that.
“Umno may not allow its members to help our campaign, but its members could vote for us.”