DAP, MCA slam Hadi on 'secularism bigger sin than defamation' remarks
DAP and MCA leaders have lambasted PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang over his remarks that “secularism was a bigger sin than defamation and murder” in a commentary yesterday.
DAP central executive committee (CEC) member Lee Chin Chen accused Hadi of using "flawed arguments" to justify Kepala Batas MP Siti Mastura Muhammad’s defamation of three DAP leaders after she lost a lawsuit against her.
Lee pointed out that Malaysia has been a secular nation since...
Summary
DAP and MCA lambast PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang for saying secularism is a bigger sin than defamation and murder.
DAP leader Lee Chin Chen claims Hadi's commentary was an attempt to justify Kepala Batas MP’s defamation of three DAP leaders.
MCA vice-president Tan Teik Cheng describes Hadi’s remarks as dangerous and could threaten societal and national stability.
DAP and MCA leaders have lambasted PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang over his remarks that “secularism was a bigger sin than defamation and murder” in a commentary yesterday.
DAP central executive committee (CEC) member Lee Chin Chen accused Hadi of using "flawed arguments" to justify Kepala Batas MP Siti Mastura Muhammad’s defamation of three DAP leaders after she lost a lawsuit against her.
Lee pointed out that Malaysia has been a secular nation since its independence with the Federal Constitution guaranteeing the rights of all non-Muslim citizens.
"However, Hadi is disregarding the Constitution to defend his party member’s wrongdoing. This distortion of the nation’s founding principles is a highly dangerous act.
"DAP remains committed to acting in accordance with the Constitution, which establishes Islam as the official religion while recognising Malaysia as a multiracial and multireligious nation,” he said in a statement today.
Lee stressed that mutual respect and tolerance are needed to preserve the country’s rich multicultural heritage.
"Hadi is well aware of these principles but has instead chosen to misuse his influence within Islam to mislead his supporters.
"His goal appears to be fostering misunderstanding towards DAP, disrupting racial unity, and advancing PAS’s political agenda," he added.
Yesterday, Hadi in a commentary published on Harakahdaily and PAS’ social media condemned the spread of secularism and liberalism in the country.
He claimed that DAP was continuing colonialist ideologies.
Hadi's commentary came while the party was under flak for collecting donations to help Mastura pay RM750,000 in damages to former Iskandar Puteri MP Lim Kit Siang, DAP chairperson Lim Guan Eng, and Seputeh MP Teresa Kok.
Mastura had defamed them by connecting them to the Communist Party of Malaya supremo Chin Peng.
‘Take DAP to court to outlaw it’
Another CEC member, Sheikh Umar Bagharib Ali, also criticised Hadi and questioned whether his statement was an attempt to sow hatred and disunity among Malaysians.
He challenged the PAS leader to take DAP to court and get the party declared an outlaw.
"If Hadi wants to continue with his extreme allegations (against DAP), I suggest Hadi uses the legal channel to try to delegalise DAP.
"However, Hadi has no guts to do so and instead continues to play with sentiments.
"I believe that his intention is no other than for his personal political gains," Sheikh Umar said in a separate statement.
The former Paloh assemblyperson also reminded Hadi that his party used to work with DAP during the Barisan Alternatif and Pakatan Rakyat era.
He added that DAP and all other political parties, including PAS, operate under the same Federal Constitution framework and laws.
"Did Hadi realise that when PAS and Perikatan Nasional were in the government, DAP existed then as one of the opposition parties?
"Why did he not make such allegations then? Did he keep quiet just because PAS was in power?
"So, all is well when PAS gets to be in power but when they lose, every other party is secular, liberal, descendants of colonialists and communists?"
‘Threat to national stability’
MCA vice-president Tan Teik Cheng also joined in the chorus, describing Hadi’s remarks as dangerous and could threaten societal and national stability.
He reminded the Marang MP that the Constitution embodies the principles of secularism and pluralism, recognising Islam as the religion of the federation while safeguarding the religious freedoms of non-Muslims.
"Hadi’s remarks are extremely dangerous as they risk fostering division and hatred among followers of different religions.
“What is Hadi’s intention? Does he aim to instigate animosity among Muslims toward non-Muslims or create hostility between Islam and other religions?
“His rhetoric not only contradicts Malaysia's multicultural identity and the Federal Constitution but also poses a significant threat to a multiracial and multireligious nation,” he said in a statement today.
Tan urged Hadi and PAS to adopt a more constructive and positive approach in their political discourse and cease making statements that could jeopardise societal stability and inter-ethnic harmony.
