MCA Youth chairman Wee Ka Siong today scoffed at PAS president Hadi Awang's claim that the Islamic party embraces pluralism, saying that the notion was unproven and never will be.

"Who is Hadi Awang trying to kid? Such statements are conjured up as a ploy to restore confidence which has plunged following PAS central committee's recent interference in the state administration of Kedah, in complete disregard of their partners DAP and PKR," he said in a statement.

NONEWee (left) said the formation of a steering committee in Kedah with veto power to advise menteri besar and excos is in complete disregard of the electorate's interest.

"Why should an external political party determine state policies, when state administration should be determined by the menteri besar in consultation with all PAS, DAP and PKR excos and elected representatives from their parties at state level?" asked the deputy education minister.

Hadi Awang in a blog entry recently said his party is all-embracing, upholds the rights of all Malaysians regardless of their race and religion.

He said the Islam itself was not a religion which was tied to any race or national identity, and that its basic tenets pushed for fairness in a "plural society" with people of different religions.

"PAS upholds justice for all without forcing (our) beliefs, and ensuring all races are treated fairly and given the opportunity to build the nation," he said in the entry, which was published by The Malaysian Insider yesterday.

However, Wee said such words were not matched by actions, as PAS had in past banned heritage, culture, activities and costumes deemed unIslamic despite some of the affected individuals were non-Muslim.

"Besides outlawing centuries-old performing arts like wayang kulit and mak yong, the Pasir Puteh Land and District Office, Kelantan had in October 2011 issued a show-cause letter to the principal of SJK © Kai Chih demanding an explanation for the mid-autumn  'entertainment' celebration held at the school without a 'licence'.

"The Kota Bharu Municipal Council issued summons against a Chinese salon owner when her Muslim employee wore a three-quarter sleeve blouse.

"In preparing for the annual PAS Muktamar, PAS emailed a circular to the press corp instructing non-Muslim female media personnel to wear headscarves, the list is endless," he said.

He urged Malaysians not to be hoodwinked by Hadi Awang's latest portrayal of PAS as all-embracing as "they are clearly not".