By Muda Mohd Noor
KOTA BARU: The delegates of the 56th PAS muktamar here have given their full backing to the leadership’s decision to allow non-Muslim candidates to use the PAS symbol in the 13th general election.
The views polled among delegates here last night ranged showed that the delegates backed the move, with some saying it was a timely decision.
Kuala Lumpur representative Mohamad Noor Mohamad said there was no problem with non-Muslims contesting under PAS ticket.
“When the supreme council decides, it is the right decision. Before this Johor had an Indian candidate under the PAS ticket in the last general election.
“It’s a good thing. There’s no reason why we should not allow them to contest under PAS, especially now that we have a supporters’ congress,” he said.
Kuala Terengganu representative Abdul Wahid Endut said if the decision to allow non-Muslims to contest under PAS meant a win for the party in the polls then “why not!”
When posed the question about disgruntled members and the possibility that the move would anger its coalition partners – DAP and PKR – he said: “Can’t imagine why anyone would be upset. If having non-Muslims contest under PAS ticket means more seats than it’s good. It is the right time.
“As for DAP and PKR, there’s really no reason why they should be upset. A win for PAS is a win for Pakatan Rakyat.”
Amidst such enthusiasm, Bukit Merah representative Rosli Hassan however cautioned that the move may cause confusion in the rural areas.
“We could be opening ourselves to new problems especially in the kampung and rural areas. It could be confusing to them.
‘Umno will also see this as an opportunity to stir racial issues saying PAS is now with the non Muslims. This will definitely happen in the villagers.
“Having said this, I think now is also the time for PAS leaders to bridge the gap with the people and go down to the ground and explain their decision,” he said.
PAS president Hadi Awang in his address had detailed the changing political mood in the country and said the convention’s theme of ‘Islam is just and fair to all’ was a reflection of the party’s agenda in its journey to Putrajaya.
While openly embracing the newly-anointed PAS Supporters Congress, he urged the youth, scholars and women wings to strengthen their knowledge base and empower their spirit so that they can deal with the challenges ahead.
“We have managed to build bridges and our non-Muslim brothers are now supporting our struggle. This is the only way to solve problems and issues in a plural society. Islam, as understood and practised by PAS, will be fair to all,” he said.
