Last week, PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang took it to Facebook to call on the public to play their part in eradicating the corruption culture holistically.
However, at the same time, he also made a controversial statement that claims that the majority of those involved in bribery and corruption are non-Muslims and non-Bumiputera people.
In a Facebook post, Hadi said that if the country wants to deal with corruption, it must first tackle it from the ‘grass roots’.
“If not it will eventually become a disease. These groups who chase illicit gains are the ones who eventually control the economy. They then damage our politics as they are the roots for corruption and the majority of them are non-Muslims and non-Bumiputras,” he said.
The statement has since caused a stir among Malaysians, with many criticising him for spreading hate speech and disturbing the multi-racial community by inciting racial sentiment.
Responses from Malaysians
In response to Hadi’s remarks, Parti Rakyat Sarawak vice-president Datuk Liwan Lagang has called for the state government to permanently blacklist him from entering Sarawak.
Liwan, who is also state deputy utility and telecommunication Minister and Sarawak’s deputy Minister said, “What has become of you as the leader of your party?”
“Do you want to be remembered as a racist and religious bigot instead of leaving behind an honourable legacy like the late PAS spiritual advisor, Tok Guru Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat, who was respected by all Malaysians regardless of race and religion as a wise person?” Liwan was quoted as saying by Malay Mail.
“Instead, you have not led by example because I have not heard anything positive that comes out of your mouth ever since you insulted us back in 2009,” Liwan said.
On the other hand, Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng took to his Twitter page to announce that the Democratic Action Party (DAP) will be lodging a police report against the PAS leader over the racist statement.
“DAP will be lodging a police report against PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang for his recent statement claiming non-Muslims and non-Bumiputeras were at the root of corruption in the country,” he tweeted.
DAP Chairman Lim Guan Eng has also responded to Hadi’s remarks and said that it will jeopardise the multicultural country’s harmony.
He then pointed out that Hadi’s accusations were baseless as the 1MDB corruption case and the littoral combat ship (LCS) scandal were not caused by non-Muslims and non-Bumiputeras.
He added that because the majority of civil officials belong to the same race, most corruption charges involving government organisations likewise include members of the same race.
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