PAS seeks debate with Umno on Islam Hadhari
Arfa'eza A AzizPublished: Jun 3, 2005 5:56 PM | Updated: Jan 29, 2008 6:21 PM
PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang today challenged Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) to an open discussion on the government's Islam Hadhari policy.
PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang makes the challenge at the party's
muktamar
in Kelantan. He also wants the event to be shown live on television.
PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang today challenged Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) to an open discussion on the government's Islam Hadhari policy.
The challenge was among nine demands made in his opening speech at the PAS 51st national convention or muktamar in Kota Baru, Kelantan, which he wanted the government to address in order to improve the state of democracy in Malaysia.
The other demands included amendments to the elections laws, to reveal the 18 corrupt high-profile individuals and to fight corruption earnestly.
"PAS proposes that the Umno-BN leadership participate in a muzakarah (discussion) with PAS leaders to explain to the people the aspects of the so-called Islam Hadhari policy," said the opposition leader, whose statement was greeted with shouts of 'Allahu akbar' (Allah is greatest) from the floor.
Abdul Hadi also wanted the discussion to be aired live on television and be given fair media coverage.
He also took jibes at the Islam Hadhari policy, introduced by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, saying that Umno was trying to emulate PAS in fighting for Islam.
He warned that the policy, which seemed to neglect important aspects of Islam on moral and Syariah (Islamic laws), might confuse Muslims.
PM should be involved
Abdul Hadi's proposal for a discussion with Umno was fully supported by PAS mursyidul am (spiritual adviser) Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat.
At a press conference later, Nik Aziz called on Umno leaders to consider the proposal seriously so that both parties can end their disagreement on various issues, especially religion.
"It (the discussion) should be held, not only because democracy demands it but Islam wants it too. Because whatever we do in this world, we will be questioned by Allah in the Hereafter. So before we face Him, we must face each other and try to discuss things," he said.
"We have wasted more than 50 years already. We argue among ourselves - the Malays and the Muslims. Therefore I hope that the discussion will be carried out," he added.
The veteran politician also hoped that the premier, who heads both Umno and BN, would be personally involved in the discussion.
He dismissed the suggestion that Abdul Hadi's demand to have the discussion aired live on television would turn the event into an open debate.
"That is only a technical issue. We can easily discuss that before we proceed with the discussion. I don't see any problem in that," he said.
Plans of action
Meanwhile, Abdul Hadi's speech entitled Paksi Kebangkitan Perjuangan was generally welcomed by delegates as the president was seen to be responding to the calls for reform.
In reforming the party, he listed seven axis plans of action to change PAS' strategies and approaches to make it more appealing to the masses without having to sacrifice the basic demands of Islam.
He said although the basic struggle of the party, according to its constitution, is to create a government and society that practise the important aspects approved by Islam, it must also not ignore the other equally important struggle, which is to protect the country's independence and sovereignty.
"The struggle to promote justice in Islam and justice in the world must be made because both fight against any kind of injustice, malpractice, archaic laws and other practices that threaten the welfare of the people," he added.
He also criticised BN's attempt to dupe the people into believing their so-called fight against corruption.
"The people must not be duped with the promise to fight corruption. How can they eradicate corruption when the Anti-Corruption Agency's power is restricted?
"Until the ACA is not made an independent body and free to investigate all corrupt practices, their campaign against corruption will remain mere rhetoric," he said.
Some 3,000 delegates and members are attending the three-day muktamar.
The challenge was among nine demands made in his opening speech at the PAS 51st national convention or muktamar in Kota Baru, Kelantan, which he wanted the government to address in order to improve the state of democracy in Malaysia.
The other demands included amendments to the elections laws, to reveal the 18 corrupt high-profile individuals and to fight corruption earnestly. "PAS proposes that the Umno-BN leadership participate in a muzakarah (discussion) with PAS leaders to explain to the people the aspects of the so-called Islam Hadhari policy," said the opposition leader, whose statement was greeted with shouts of 'Allahu akbar' (Allah is greatest) from the floor.
Abdul Hadi also wanted the discussion to be aired live on television and be given fair media coverage.
He also took jibes at the Islam Hadhari policy, introduced by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, saying that Umno was trying to emulate PAS in fighting for Islam.
He warned that the policy, which seemed to neglect important aspects of Islam on moral and Syariah (Islamic laws), might confuse Muslims.
PM should be involved
Abdul Hadi's proposal for a discussion with Umno was fully supported by PAS mursyidul am (spiritual adviser) Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat.
At a press conference later, Nik Aziz called on Umno leaders to consider the proposal seriously so that both parties can end their disagreement on various issues, especially religion.
"It (the discussion) should be held, not only because democracy demands it but Islam wants it too. Because whatever we do in this world, we will be questioned by Allah in the Hereafter. So before we face Him, we must face each other and try to discuss things," he said. "We have wasted more than 50 years already. We argue among ourselves - the Malays and the Muslims. Therefore I hope that the discussion will be carried out," he added.
The veteran politician also hoped that the premier, who heads both Umno and BN, would be personally involved in the discussion.
He dismissed the suggestion that Abdul Hadi's demand to have the discussion aired live on television would turn the event into an open debate.
"That is only a technical issue. We can easily discuss that before we proceed with the discussion. I don't see any problem in that," he said.
Plans of action
Meanwhile, Abdul Hadi's speech entitled Paksi Kebangkitan Perjuangan was generally welcomed by delegates as the president was seen to be responding to the calls for reform.
In reforming the party, he listed seven axis plans of action to change PAS' strategies and approaches to make it more appealing to the masses without having to sacrifice the basic demands of Islam.
He said although the basic struggle of the party, according to its constitution, is to create a government and society that practise the important aspects approved by Islam, it must also not ignore the other equally important struggle, which is to protect the country's independence and sovereignty.
"The struggle to promote justice in Islam and justice in the world must be made because both fight against any kind of injustice, malpractice, archaic laws and other practices that threaten the welfare of the people," he added.
He also criticised BN's attempt to dupe the people into believing their so-called fight against corruption.
"The people must not be duped with the promise to fight corruption. How can they eradicate corruption when the Anti-Corruption Agency's power is restricted?
"Until the ACA is not made an independent body and free to investigate all corrupt practices, their campaign against corruption will remain mere rhetoric," he said.
Some 3,000 delegates and members are attending the three-day muktamar.
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