The Kelantan Pondok Schools Association has urged political leaders to reject divisive rhetoric, warning that unsubstantiated claims about threats to the Malays and Islam could undermine national harmony.
The group was responding to recent remarks by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, who alleged that DAP, which he said now dominated Pakatan Harapan (PH), was continuing a colonial agenda aimed at weakening and removing Malay-Muslim political dominance in the country.
In a joint statement, the association’s adviser Syeikh Wazir Che Awang Al-Makki and Zulkarnain Harun said allegations of such seriousness should be supported by clear and credible evidence.
Group warns against politics of fear
The association said political claims unsupported by evidence could create suspicion and hostility, deepen divisions among Muslims and strain relations in Malaysia’s multiracial and multireligious society.
“Such an approach to politics is contrary to the demands of Islam, which require justice, tabayyun (verification) and prohibit accusations without evidence,” it said.
The group said Hadi’s claim also appeared to overlook Malaysia’s system of parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy, where government powers are exercised within the framework of the Federal Constitution, Parliament and existing laws.
It pointed to Articles 3 and 153 of the Federal Constitution, which state that Islam is the official religion of the Federation, while Article 153 provides safeguards for the special position of Malays and natives of Sabah and Sarawak, alongside the legitimate interests of other communities.
“Therefore, portraying DAP’s participation in the unity government as automatically enabling the party to abolish the position of the Malays and Islam is an inaccurate depiction of the country’s constitutional and parliamentary framework,” it said.
Politics should focus on public interest
The association said that, from the perspective of siyasah syar’iyyah, politics should instead focus on public interest, justice, preventing harm and preserving peace, rather than simply defining political allies and opponents.
It warned that fear-based political rhetoric might deliver short-term political gains but could come at the expense of social cohesion and national harmony.
“Political differences are normal in a democracy. We can differ in terms of party, approach and views, but these differences must be managed with knowledge, facts, courtesy and justice,” it said.
The group also called on political leaders, particularly those who carried the name and image of Islam, to exercise greater responsibility in their public statements.
It said such leaders had a greater responsibility because their words could either help unite society or deepen existing divisions.
“Islam does not become stronger through slander. The Malays do not become stronger through fear. The country does not become stronger through division,” it said.
Focus on issues affecting Malaysians
The association urged political parties to move away from fear-driven rhetoric and focus instead on solutions to issues affecting Malaysians, including economic growth, the cost of living, employment, education and poverty.
Last month, Hadi again launched a strong attack on DAP, claiming that the party had a “Chinese agenda” and was seeking to eradicate Malay and Bumiputera supremacy.
The Marang member of parliament also claimed that DAP intended to retain the meaning of Islam in the Federal Constitution based on what he described as the colonialists’ interpretation, which upheld liberalism and freedoms espoused by the West.
Yesterday, Parti Amanah Negara Wanita chief Aiman Athirah Sabu said PAS should present its evidence through legal channels if it truly believed DAP and PH had an agenda to eliminate the Malays and Islam or threaten the position of Islam in the Federal Constitution.
