SHAH ALAM: The Youth Wing of the Islamic Party (PAS) has responded to critics who accused the party of lacking the ability to govern a state, saying that it is unfair to compare them with the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO).
Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden, the newly appointed Chief of PAS Youth, stated that even though the state of Kedah is under PAS rule, people are allowed to wear shorts there. He challenged those who claim that PAS does not know how to govern to come to Alor Setar, where many individuals are seen wearing shorts while riding their bikes. Afnan made these remarks during a ceramah (public lecture) on the sidelines of the 69th Muktamar (annual general meeting) of PAS at the IDCC Convention Centre on October 21.
Afnan emphasized that PAS leaders are familiar with their roles when in power, while insinuating that current Cabinet ministers in the Unity Government are confused about their responsibilities. He cited examples such as the Tourism Minister who acts as if he is in charge of immigration, the Minister responsible for the internet who behaves like the head of the police and threatens to arrest individuals discussing religion, race, and royalty, and the Minister in charge of the police who appears preoccupied with the Kedah Mentri Besar, leaving doubts about their understanding of their specific ministerial portfolios.
In June, Tourism, Culture and Arts Minister Tiong King Sing intervened in an immigration issue at Kuala Lumpur International Airport involving a Chinese tourist.
During the same ceramah, Afnan stressed that it would be unjust to compare PAS with UMNO. He disagreed with the comparison between PAS retaining its top party leaders and UMNO’s no-contest rule for the president’s position. According to Afnan, PAS has never implemented such a ruling, and the top five leaders won uncontested when all PAS divisions nominated the incumbents for the posts of president and deputy president. He added that in the case of the three vice-president positions, four names were initially proposed, but one candidate withdrew, leaving the three incumbents as the candidates.
Afnan emphasized that despite PAS winning big in the most recent general and state elections, UMNO suffered significant losses. He pointed out that PAS holds the largest number of seats in the Dewan Rakyat (House of Representatives), while UMNO lost the majority of their seats. Furthermore, PAS achieved substantial victories in state elections, whereas UMNO’s performance was poor, winning only two state seats in Kedah, none in Terengganu, and just one in Kelantan.
