A 42-year-old carpenter was recently subject to public caning in Terengganu after he was caught for being in close quarters with a woman who was not his wife or close relative (khalwat).
Under Terengganu’s amended Syariah Criminal Offences (Takzir) Enactment 2022, this was a punishable offence.
Lawyers and rights groups, however, spoke out against the shaming and dehumanising of the widower. They asked the Terengganu government to practise restraint and compassion. Horrified by Pas’ approach, advocacy group Sisters in Islam reminded the party that the move contradicted Islam’s core principles of justice, mercy, compassion and human dignity.
But the Pas-led Terengganu government doubled down on its desire to make an example out of the offender for other Muslims. Apparently, the ‘moral guardian’ wanted to strike fear in the hearts of the faithful.
So the state religious authority chose the Al-Muktafi Billah Shah Mosque in Kuala Terengganu as the venue for this corporal punishment. Held after Friday prayers attended by the weekly congregation, the spectacle was reportedly witnessed by 70 people, including a few lawmakers and media personnel.
Such was the concern for ‘morality’ displayed by the Pas leadership. The party leadership presumably wanted to impress on the ethnic Malay community (read voters), especially in rural areas, its commitment to Islamic teachings.
To be sure, morality involves principles concerning the distinction between right and wrong.
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But how to explain the party’s lack of urgency in resolving the poor quality of piped water in Kelantan? Many ordinary people in the state have been subject to the indignity of consuming murky water for decades. Isn’t this immoral?
However, Pas’ notion and application of morality appears to be selective. It is not a stretch to argue that the party’s idea of ‘immorality’ tends to confine itself towards sex-related issues, alcohol consumption and dressing.
As if to rub salt on people’s wounds, the Kelantan government found it necessary to use public funds to buy 14 German luxury cars for its top officials in 2020. That money could have been used to ease the poverty and unemployment in parts of the state.
A moral compass is broken when the interests of politicians are placed ahead of the pressing needs of ordinary people.
Islam condemns corruption, which is widespread in the country, because it erodes the lives of many ordinary people.
And yet, Pas was so eager to stage a rally today alongside Umno in support of the convicted felon, Najib Razak. The former PM was found guilty after a lengthy trial of embezzling RM42m transferred from SRC International, a former 1MDB unit, into his private account.
True, one may argue that Pas, like any other group, has a right to assemble peacefully in a democracy. But many were baffled that its rally was held to support the former PM whose crime has contributed to the country’s serious economic and political challenges.
But then it may not be that strange to learn of Pas’ insistence on holding the rally today. Remember how Pas president Hadi Awang once declared the party had to prioritise electing Muslim leaders – even if they had no integrity?
Today’s rally was not the kind that called for a fairer electoral system, freer media or a war on corruption.
Pas’ rally was held on the day the Court of Appeal heard Najib’s application for leave to adduce fresh evidence in his appeal to serve his remaining prison term under ‘house arrest’.
Umno cancelled its own planned rally after the palace issued a statement urging the public to respect the Constitution and established laws. The inspector general of police had also urged the public not to join any such rally, citing the palace statement.
Pas, however, defied such warnings and was bent on holding its rally, with the support of a few Malay NGOs and political parties.
Flaunting the party’s defiance, the Pasir Mas MP from Pas, Ahmad Fadhli Shaari posted a Facebook message soon after the palace statement: “Disangka jantan berkokok nyaring, rupanya ayam betina bertelur sebiji. Disergah biawak, digadai reban.”
His cryptic post stirred uneasiness among certain politicians who accused Fadhli of smearing the palace – something the Pas politician denied.
The party’s action may be seen as an effort to enhance its political profile within the Malay community.
But some cynics see it as a devious attempt to weaken Umno by causing friction between pro-Najib Umno members and other Umno members who do not wish to be seen as disrespectful of the monarch.
The push for the rally may also be interpreted as an attempt by Pas and its Perikatan Nasional coalition to cause disunity within the “unity government”, what with Umno being pressured to support Najib while Pakatan Harapan has distanced itself.
That is why it smacked of mischief when Pas claimed that Umno pulled out of the rally because the latter was scared of the DAP. Both the latter parties are partners in Anwar Ibrahim’s unity government. The taunt could not have been more biting.
It is disturbingly ironic that this Islamist party often portrays itself as a political entity with a moral commitment to unite the ummah.
Malaysia cannot afford to be distracted by divisive politics if it wants to move forward. Such politics thrives on exploiting race and religion while showcasing the moral bankruptcy of certain politicians.
Let’s instead unite the nation around justice, freedom, inclusion and compassion. We badly need competent, forward-looking leaders with moral fibre who can uphold transparency and accountability.
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
Think many in Malaysia know that the party leaders are a bunch of hypocrites.