SHAH ALAM - Bersatu Armada chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal has refuted claims by the opposing party that Perikatan Nasional (PN) exploits religion for political gain.
According to him, such accusations reflect a shallow understanding of the relationship between Islam and politics.
"Political opponents accuse PN of exploiting religion. Supposedly, when opposing DAP or fighting against Umno-Kleptocracy, they incorrectly use Quranic verses and hadiths to deceive voters.
"This is a fallacy in thinking about Islam and politics. We are taught to judge opponents fairly based on knowledge instead of desires," he said on Facebook on Tuesday.
Commenting further, the Machang MP stated that the opposition against DAP or Tan Sri Lim Kit Siang was not based on their ethnicity but rather on their chauvinistic qualities, elements, and propaganda they bring.
Wan Ahmad Fayhsal claimed that the issues advocated by DAP contradict Islam and the country's identity, as well as an attempt to unravel the foundation of the nation through the Setapak Declaration, 'Malaysian Malaysia.'
Wan Ahmad Fayhsal also pointed out that they fought against Umno-Barisan Nasional (BN) because their prominent leaders deceived the Malays.
"This is because they (Umno) are willing to conspire with parties that can open the door to greater destruction towards the integrity and position of our religion and nation," he explained.
On June 13, a local portal reported that Wan Ahmad Fayhsal admitted to using Quranic verses and hadiths to gain voter support in Kelantan.
In an interview called 'Keluar Sekejap' with former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin, Wan Ahmad Fayhsal mentioned that at that time, he only thought of one formula, which was "to appear more Pas than Pas members themselves."
In a 1 minute 49-second video on his Facebook page, Wan Ahmad Fayhsal stated that when arguing or giving political speeches, especially on Malay and Islamic issues, Quranic verses, hadiths, consensus, analogy, and Islamic sources should not be disregarded at all.
He explained that this was because each argument and decision has its halal (permissible) and haram (prohibited) laws.
"So, why do we have to reject Pakatan Harapan, reject Barisan Nasional in the election, I can't speak based on emotions or desires.
"I have to refer to the evidence issued by scholars. Arguments involving the threat of Western ideology, communism, and liberalism must have some basis.
"There must be Quranic verses and hadiths that I need to explain during the campaign, that's what I meant. All Pas and Bersatu leaders in our political ijtihad (Islamic research) must be based on strong evidence," he concluded.