KUALA LUMPUR: The 2010 PAS convention will go down in political history as the year the Islamic party embraced its non-Muslim brethren as equals.
Starting with its freedom of religion stand on the “Allah” issue, which gripped multi-religious Malaysia in January 2010, to its move to upgrade its non-Muslim supporters' club to equal its Youth wing, and the announcement that Non-Muslims will be fielded in the next general election and serve in the senate, the party is moving the masses with its principled commitment to fairness and justice.
Said the non-Muslim wing’s deputy president N Balasubramaniam: “Yes, it is an Islamic party, but the leaders don’t keep throwing it in your face. They are also concerned about other religions.
“Leaving aside the party’s core religious philosophy, I think it is important that we look at its stand on issues. It has been fair to the non-Muslims. If you visit Kelantan and Terengganu, and talk to the people, you will understand what we are saying.”
According to Balasubramaniam, the members are satisfied with PAS’s top leaders and the manner in which they handle issues.
“PAS is an independent party with its own policies. On issues involving Indians, its stand is clear: aid for everyone who is poor. There is no bureaucracy involved in giving aid.
“Umno never appreciated the Indians' contribution to this country. It doesn't see us as having contributed to the economy.
“Umno has very little respect for us as a community and MIC, as a representative of the community, has failed to build our image as a worthwhile partner in nation building.
“MIC has focused its growth on a few people and ignored the masses. Compared to other communities, we have been the most loyal supporters of Barisan Nasional. But all we have ever received are empty promises and piece-meal assistance. We are not beggars,” he said.
According to Balasubramaniam, the three-day convention in Kelantan will be an “interesting and different” experience for the non-Muslim wing.
“We are mainly observers now. PAS has made many announcements earlier about fielding non- Muslims in the next general election and senatorships.
“Last month, Hadi Awang met us and we discussed a wide range of issues. We are satisfied with PAS stand on religious freedom, economic distribution and community development.
“We’re looking to hear firm commitments in the muktamar, which will encourage us to continue to fight for the party and the country,” he said, adding that the wing now had 50,000 members, majority of whom are Indians.
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