KUALA LUMPUR – There is no guarantee that PAS would not impose its segregation policies if it comes into federal power, said DAP leader Charles Santiago while pouring cold water on claims that non-Malays should not fear the “green wave”.
In a statement, Santiago pointed to policies in PAS-led Kelantan and Terengganu that affect businesses and the way of life of non-Malays, such as gender segregation and dress codes.
“If PAS had not created fear among non-Malays, it wouldn’t need to come up with such statements in the first place. There has been a push from PAS to mainstream political Islam.
“What guarantee is there that PAS won’t impose Islamic values on everyone given the examples? Especially if it captures the federal government at the next polls?”
Santiago, who is former Klang MP, also brought up the Kelantan government issuing a fine to a Chinese woman for wearing shorts in public and gender segregation for certain businesses.
“The cinema drama, ban on unisex hair salons and display of alcohol encroach into the rights of non-Malays. There are no cinemas in Kelantan. You force your idea of ‘haram’ on non-Malays and won’t allow for cinemas just because you believe moviegoers (of different genders) who are unrelated shouldn’t sit together.
“Unisex hair salons in Terengganu could face a fine of up to RM1,000. This includes those run by non-Malays.”
His latest salvo is in response to claims made by PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang, who said non-Malays had no reason to fear the party.
Hadi also told supporters in Penang on Tuesday that “in Kelantan, Terengganu, Chinese and Indians all live happily in Malay villages”.
Polling day for Selangor, Kedah, Penang, Negri Sembilan, Kelantan and Terengganu is on August 12. – August 3, 2023