PAS Needs to Stop Selling Religion, it is Better to Postpone the Dream of Governing the Country: Puad

PAS Needs to Stop Selling Religion, it is Better to Postpone the Dream of Governing the Country: Puad


26 Apr 2025 • 7:30 AM MYT


Kamran
A freelance content creator

Image Credit: Sinar Harian

A surge in crime rates in Kelantan, highlighted by recent revelations from top police officials, has sparked sharp criticism from UMNO Supreme Council member Datuk Dr. Mohd Puad Zarkashi, who labeled it a devastating blow to the PAS-led state government.


The Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM), through Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay and Kelantan Police Chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat, disclosed troubling statistics regarding the rise in rape and drug abuse cases in Kelantan. Instead of sparking immediate reform, these revelations have been met with skepticism and pushback from PAS leaders, which Puad deems both irresponsible and dismissive.


Puad pointed out that rather than accepting the reality and acting on the reports, PAS is busy defending its image and when the police reveal that drug and rape cases are on the rise, PAS feels insulted and hides behind rhetoric like ‘Kelantan is ruled by Islam.'


He emphasized that such a reaction only exposes PAS’s reluctance to confront hard truths and improve governance.


The critique comes after Melor assemblyman Wan Rohimi Wan Daud, a PAS representative, accused the Kelantan police of tarnishing the state's image. Wan Rohimi, who is also a lawyer, alleged that recent police statements were orchestrated to portray Kelantan as unsafe. During a recent State Assembly session, he reprimanded the Kelantan Police Chief for what he viewed as an unjustified negative portrayal of the state.


However, Puad dismissed these claims, arguing that denying statistical realities does nothing to help the people of Kelantan. He described the statements by Ayob Khan and Mohd Yusoff as credible and essential for public awareness.


According to Ayob Khan, Kelantan currently holds the highest rate of drug abuse in Malaysia, with 1,130 cases per 100,000 population. Mohd Yusoff, on the other hand, shared disturbing details of underage sexual behavior in the state, noting that girls as young as 10 and boys as young as 11 were involved in intimate relationships.


Puad did not hold back in his rebuke of PAS, stating, “The PDRM report is a knockout punch to PAS. They’ve governed Kelantan for 35 years, yet crime continues to rise. It’s time to stop hiding behind religion.”


He concluded by calling on the Kelantan government to cease its “hide and seek” tactics and face the facts. "The data is at your fingertips, PAS needs to stop selling religion, it is better to postpone the dream of governing the country. 35 years of governing Kelantan, crime is increasing," he said.”


Puad's remarks underscore a growing call for greater accountability and less political posturing in addressing real issues affecting Malaysians at the state level.