KUALA LUMPUR: Pas president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang said the party will not cooperate with parties that compromise the dignity of religion.
Taking this stance, Abdul Hadi criticised the response of the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, regarding Malaysia's acceptance of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community in an interview with CNN.
He said that Anwar's statement that the LGBT community is not accepted in this country but also condemning legal actions taken against them is unreasonable and not in line with what Islam recommends.
"I read reports about the interview between the prime minister and CNN regarding LGBT. He says it's forbidden and we respect the people's stance, but we can't disturb LGBT. What is this? Can't disturb, can't interfere, and can't act (on them).
"Forbidden but can't take action. What is all this?" he questioned during a speech at the N36 Pelangai state assembly Ceramah Perdana in Dataran Purnama, Simpang Pelangai, Bentong, last night. The ceramah was broadcast live on Facebook through TV Pas.
Present at the event were Kedah Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman, Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor; Pahang PN chairman, Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah; Pahang Pas commissioner, Rosli Abdul Jabar and; Muafakat Nasional (MN) chairman, Tan Sri Annuar Musa.
Further commenting, Abdul Hadi said that the stance of Pakatan Harapan (PH) leaders on issues involving religious laws such as the LGBT strengthens the reason why Pas is determined not to engage in any political cooperation with the concerned party.
"How can Pas be friends with people like this? Even among Umno members, they are not willing to be friends with such a party. That's why Umno members leave the party and join Pas-Bersatu, or Muafakat Nasional. We need to teach leaders who compromise the dignity of religion," he said.
In a special interview aired on CNN yesterday, Anwar was asked to comment on the action taken by the Home Affairs Ministry back in May, which saw them confiscating a collection of Swatch rainbow watches, retailing to celebrate the LGBT community.
When asked if he agreed with the three-year imprisonment penalty imposed on those who sold and wore them, Anwar said he did not endorse the action and considered it excessive.
However, he stated that he respects the law and the consensus of the people who do not accept LGBT.
In the meantime, Abdul Hadi also stated that it is important for voters in the Pelangai state assembly constituency to choose the best candidate who can uphold the truth and prevent wrongdoing from continuing to spread.
"Right now, the government is not stable and can fall at any time. That's why we need representatives of the people who can bring about change.
"So we hope that the voters of Pelangai choose Cikgu Kasim (Kasim Samat, PN candidate), the duty of this candidate is to represent us at the state level and to uphold 'amar makruf nahi mungkar' (promoting good, preventing vice)," he said.
The by-election for the Pelangai state assembly seat will see a three-way contest between PN, Barisan Nasional (BN) and an independent candidate.
They are Kasim Samat (PN), Haslihelmy DM Zulhasli (Independent) and Datuk Amizar Abu Adam (BN).
The Election Commission has set Oct 3 as the early voting day and Oct 7 for polling day.
