PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang’s claim that Kuala Lumpur is “problematic” because of DAP and its Pakatan Harapan (PH) allies has been labelled as a “cheap shot” that fuels divisive narratives.
Setiawangsa MP and former natural resources and environmental sustainability minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad noted that the remark had come from a senior leader of the opposition “who has been absent from Parliament”.
“This is a different PAS from the Nik Aziz Nik Mat era. Malays already form the largest community in KL, yet PH remains dominant,” he said, in countering Hadi’s claim that DAP and other PH components still harped on racial issues.
“PAS is still unable to make a breakthrough because many Malays in KL reject PAS,” he told FMT.
On Wednesday, Hadi told the Dewan Rakyat that “Kuala Lumpur is problematic due to DAP, PH and their friends. They only want to use the old playbook of playing the racial and political card.”
Hadi has had a dismal record in meeting his obligation as MP and a leading member of the opposition. Data compiled by MyMP (mymp.org.my) shows that he had attended only 33 out of 103 Parliament sessions held since July 26, 2021.
MyMP is an initiative started in 2016 by the Malaysian Centre for Constitutionalism and Human Rights, and tracks the availability, loyalty, win rate and work ethic of MPs.
When Nik Aziz was leading PAS as its spiritual leader the party was widely seen as more moderate, and politically inclusive rather than divisive on issues related to race and religion.
Nik Aziz, who was Kelantan‘s menteri besar from 1990 to 2013, had a reputation for humility and for appealing even to non-Muslims. He passed away on Feb 12, 2015 at the age of 84, after years of battling prostate cancer.
Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara said if he were an MP from PH or DAP, “anything that comes from Hadi should not be taken seriously”.
“If you ask Hadi to break down what he means by ‘problematic KL’, it will be difficult for him to elaborate because he is just throwing out an idea, even if the idea is absurd,” Azmi told FMT.
“Perhaps that it is his modus operandi, to spew words without any justification and explanation.”
Awang Azman Pawi of Universiti Malaya said if Hadi believed there were weaknesses in city governance, he should propose alternative approaches.
“Mere poetry does not bring improvement; the real path is through substantive discussion, proposals, and resolutions.
As a religious preacher and leader, he should strengthen the values of moderation, justice, and unity,” he told FMT.
He said a good narrative would not divide people, it should foster a spirit of constructiveness, inclusivity, and mutual respect.
