Action against Dominic does not reflect Islamic manners – Saifuddin
GEORGETOWN - The action of a Pas member towards the Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia (Gerakan) president Datuk Dr. Dominic Lau Hoe Chai at the Perikatan Nasional (PN) Best Ceramah in Sungai Dua, Tasek Gelugor on August 1, was deemed disrespectful.
Pakatan Harapan (PH) Secretary-General Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail stated that the ill-treatment given to Dominic clearly did not reflect the Islamic character advocated by Pas.
According to him, the actions of the Pas member were also seen as not exemplifying the personality of Prophet Muhammad SAW in serving guests.
"Pas is a party that champions Islam, but is it appropriate for its members to act disrespectfully towards a fellow PN coalition party member? This clearly does not reflect what the party has been advocating all this while.
"Pas should not behave this way towards Dominic, even if there are differing opinions regarding the selection of candidates for the Bayan Lepas seat in the state elections in Penang.
"Prophet Muhammad SAW is the best example, he was often treated harshly by his opponents, but he never responded in the same manner; instead, he treated them with kindness and gentleness," he said during a media session at the Charity Dinner with Leaders organised by the Penang Indian Cultural and Social Welfare Organisation here yesterday night.
The PKR Secretary-General further emphasised that it was natural for different parties to have differing opinions, but they should respect and honour one another.
"We can have differing opinions with Dominic, but I disagree with him being treated in such a way. PKR and DAP have many differences and similarities, but when dealing with them, we have never treated DAP like how Pas treated Dominic in Penang. The same applies vice versa.
"In politics, it's common to have differing opinions, but we should not treat others poorly like that.
"Being in a party that upholds Islam, yet behaving in such a manner, I want to say, I am Malay and Muslim.
"It is not the manners and ethical conduct of Muslims in politics," he added.
Previously, the media reported that Dominic was allegedly prevented from attending the Mega PN Best Ceramah in Sungai Dua.
The mega ceramah featured Pas President and Member of Parliament for Marang Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang as well as the Penang Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) Chairman, who is also the PN candidate for the Penanti State Legislative Assembly, Zulkifli Bakar.
It was reported that the Penang PN chairman was asked to leave the event as he was said to be uninvited to participate in the program.
Dominic's nomination for the Bayan Lepas State Legislative Assembly seat was previously opposed by Pas members in the Bayan Lepas Branch, who held a peaceful protest and threatened to boycott his nomination in the upcoming state election.
Additionally, Dominic's nomination for the seat also raised questions as his name was not announced during the official announcement of PN candidates in Penang by the Deputy President of Bersatu Datuk Seri Dr. Ronald Kiandee in Pongsu Seribu, Kepala Batas yesterday.
It is understood that the Bayan Lepas seat was initially given to Pas which named the Penang Pas Secretary Iszuree Ibrahim as its candidate.
