Hadi seeks help from the Chinese to 'save the country'

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang has asked the Chinese community for its support by trusting the party to lead Malaysia.

Speaking at a Chinese New Year function in Kuala Terengganu last night, Hadi said that this time around, PAS was gunning for Putrajaya, instead of merely winning seats in the 14th general election.

"We (PAS) have tried in Kelantan, we have tried in Terengganu and we have tried in Kedah, but we do not have further power. If possible, we want to administer the federal government.

"In GE14, PAS will contest 130 parliamentary seats, because to rule the country, we need 112 seats. Therefore, PAS urges the Chinese community to trust PAS, not only to lead Terengganu, but the country," he said, as quoted by Harakahdaily.

Hadi said PAS needed to become a force to be reckoned with, so it can stop parties out to cause chaos in the country. PAS intended to rescue the country by introducing a mature political culture, he added.

"In politics, we can squabble, but cannot fight and go to 'war'. Differences in opinion are allowed but there should be no fights about it.

"The real Islam teaches its followers to live in harmony with the Chinese and Indians in Malay villages.

"In Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah and Perlis, for instance. The racial riots on May 13, 1969, did not happen in Terengganu, Kelantan, or Kedah," he said.

"However, racial tiffs happened in Penang, and in Singapore. Where there are Muslims who really observe the religion, there are no fights and chaos."

In his speech, the Marang MP also recalled PAS' rule in Terengganu between 1999 and 2004, during which he was appointed menteri besar.

Among others, he pointed out, the state government then abolished private residence assessment tax, as well as tax for small traders.

"Land grants were also given to the people, regardless of whether they were Chinese, Indian or Malay.

"There were villages there (in Terengganu), where the Chinese residents were 'confined' by the British. Even after our country achieved independence, the government did not give the residents land grants, until PAS came to power. We assisted all schools, including Chinese and Tamil vernacular schools," Hadi said.

This is because, according to Hadi, all humans are entitled to use their respective mother tongues in education.- Mkini