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Pas fears Malay voters may not turn out for Johor election, impacting Muslim political power
🇲🇾 Malaysia /Elections & Politics

Pas fears Malay voters may not turn out for Johor election, impacting Muslim political power

From Utusan Malaysia · () Malay

Translated from Malay, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Pas fears Malay voters may not turn out for the Johor state election, potentially impacting Muslim political power.
  • The party president cited reasons like performing the Umrah and concerns over Chinese community groups mobilizing voters.
  • Pas is urging Malay voters, especially those outside Johor, to return and fulfill their voting duty.

Pas is expressing concern that Malay voters might abstain from the upcoming Johor state election, a move that could diminish Muslim political influence in the region. Party president Abdul Hadi Awang suggested that factors such as performing the Umrah pilgrimage and the mobilization efforts of 134 Chinese community organizations could deter Malay voters from casting their ballots.

There are those who do not vote because they want to perform Umrah. Political power is very important to Muslims, and therefore everyone must unite and go out to vote.

— Abdul Hadi AwangPresident of Pas, Abdul Hadi Awang, explaining the potential reasons for Malay voter abstention and urging them to vote.

Awang highlighted the importance of political power for Muslims and urged Malay voters, particularly those residing outside Johor, to return to the state to vote. His remarks came during the final Perikatan Nasional (PN) campaign rally for the Johor PRN in Simpang Jeram.

So Malay voters, especially those who are outside Johor, please return and fulfill your voting responsibility in the state election (PRN) this Saturday.

— Abdul Hadi AwangPas President Abdul Hadi Awang's call to Malay voters during a campaign rally.

Media reports indicated that a joint statement from 134 Chinese associations, including the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH), encouraged Johor and Negeri Sembilan voters to return and vote. Other signatories included Dong Zong, Jiao Zong, Merdeka University Berhad, various state Chinese assembly halls, the Centre for Malaysian Chinese Studies, and the LLG Cultural Development Centre.

When DAP asked Pas to abandon the struggle to establish an Islamic state and no longer mention it, we could not accept it.

— Abdul Hadi AwangAbdul Hadi Awang explaining Pas's reasons for separating from DAP.

Awang also reflected on Pas's past cooperation with DAP and PKR, stating it was initially based on a shared goal of opposing corruption and certain federal government policies. However, he explained that Pas decided to part ways with DAP because the latter allegedly wanted Pas to abandon its pursuit of an Islamic state. He cited DAP's opposition to proposed bans on alcohol and gambling in Kelantan, despite the Malaysian Constitution allowing Islamic laws to apply only to Muslims, as a point of contention.

When we wanted to ban alcohol and gambling in Kelantan, DAP objected. Even though the Malaysian Constitution states that Islamic law applies only to Muslims, while non-Muslims are not subject to it.

— Abdul Hadi AwangAbdul Hadi Awang highlighting a disagreement with DAP regarding religious laws.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Utusan Malaysia in Malay. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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