The secretary-general of PAS, Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan, has stated that his party does not condone the incident during which Gerakan president Dominic Lau was asked to leave a Perikatan ceramah event in Penang by one of its members. Takiyuddin emphasized that as Muslims, PAS members should show respect towards Lau as he is the president of a Perikatan component party. He went on to say that PAS members should accept the decision made by coalition leaders to have chosen Lau as the Bayan Lepas Perikatan candidate, even if there were reservations or unhappiness among them, in line with mature politics.
Takiyuddin expressed uneasiness and offered an apology to Gerakan President Lau for the incident, which occurred at the PNBest Mega Ceramah in Tasek Gelugor and was also attended by PAS president Abdul Hadi. He stated that Lau’s presence should have been welcomed and appreciated as a guest, in accordance with the character and principles of Islam.
Takiyuddin acknowledged that coalition politics often result in unhappiness and disappointment, particularly regarding seat distribution or candidate selection. He mentioned that although PAS members and supporters may have had concerns about choosing Lau as the candidate for the Malay-majority Bayan Lepas state seat, they needed to accept the decision made by the top party leadership and trust the leadership of Abdul Hadi.
Given the current political climate, which includes chauvinistic and extreme narratives, Takiyuddin emphasized that as an Islamist party, PAS has a responsibility to demonstrate mature and moderate politics and to assist and protect those in need. He urged PAS members to offer assistance and protection to Lau and his party based on true friendship and sincerity.
Takiyuddin concluded by urging PAS members to prioritize the bigger success that can be achieved, rather than letting small things become the reason for discord. He referred to a viral video from August 1, in which a local PAS leader told Lau that he was not invited to the PAS ceramah in Sungai Dua. Lau later clarified that he was not asked to leave the event and had only left because he couldn’t speak to PAS president Abdul Hadi due to the event running late.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
