TUMPAT: An election campaign poster which depicts a monk shaking hands with top Pas leaders has invoked the wrath of Pengkalan Kubor’s Siamese community, who claims that Buddhist religion is being used as a political tool.
The poster which included a campaign inset of Pas candidate Wan Rosdi Wan Ibrahim, also displayed pictures of Pas spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat and Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob sitting together with several Buddhist monks.
Locals say such posters could be found in areas where several monastery-temples or wat, could be found near Bunohan.
Representative of the Siamese community to the Dewan Negara, Senator Datuk Boon Som Inong said Pas should realised that a monk should not be used as campaign tool as the figure was considered to be holy and above politics.
“What is taking place is an insult to the Buddhist religion, since a monk should not be used by any political parties to promote their cause. A majority of Siamese community I met here also spoke of their anger.
“I urge the Siamese locals to lodge a police report,” said Boon.
More than 5,000 of the Siamese community were locals in Tumpat, with about 1,700 registered as voters in Pengkalan Kubor.
A local, Li Hua Tan said Pas should not have tarnished the holy image of Buddhist monks and the religion.
“I am sad that some people can be so insensitive towards our religion. Many of us here are unhappy with this campaign strategy which obviously revealed their (Pas’) lack of understanding in the beliefs of others.”