SHAH ALAM: A top Pas leader today dismissed claims that the Islamist party under the leadership of Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang is different from when it was being headed by the late Tan Sri Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat.
Party vice-president Datuk Idris Ahmad reduced such claims as outright 'dakyah' (propaganda) allegedly propagated by its political foes to paint a negative image against Pas among the non-Muslim community in the country.
"There is no difference (in the leadership of Abdul Hadi and Abdul Aziz over Pas' appeal to non-Muslims). Since then, we have been championing the motto of Islam is for all.
"This was proven and tested when Abdul Hadi was the Terengganu Menteri Besar in 1999, in which he ensured fairness to all the people in the state, whether they were Malays or non-Malays.
"The same goes when providing our services and assistance to the people. We help the needy even if they did not support or vote for us in the election. We cannot force people to support or vote for us," he told reporters after attending the party's 69th Muktamar (general assembly) here today.
Idris was asked to comment on claims that Pas resonated well among the non-Malays when the Islamist party was under the leadership of Nik Aziz compared to when the party is currently being headed by Abdul Hadi.
He cited the incident when DAP withdrew from the now disbanded Barisan Alternatif in 2001 following the unwillingness of Pas to abandon its aim of making Malaysia an Islamic nation.
"You should remember that DAP abandoned Barisan Alternatif when Nik Abdul Aziz was the Pas spiritual leader.
"DAP will play with sentiments... when we follow them (their wishes), then we are their best friend. However, we will be portrayed as the enemy when we refuse to follow their wishes.
"This (assumption that Pas under the leadership of Abdul Hadi is different from that of when the party was under the leadership of Nik Abdul Aziz) is just dakyah. The party is always open (and friendly) to all," he said.
Idris later challenged DAP to name what the party had done to ensure justice and fairness to the Malays.
"If you want to talk about justice, tell me what are you doing for the Malays in Penang since you are leading the state government there," he said.