Hadi blames Johor's lack of awareness on Islamic politics for PAS's abysmal failure in its state elections

Hadi should ask Muhyiddin about Islam in Johor - Umno veteran


JOHOR POLLS | An Umno veteran has urged PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang to refer to Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin before making any statements regarding the practice of Islam in Johor.

Contrary to Hadi’s claim, Johor Umno Veterans Club chairperson Othman Jais said the average Johorean would be formally taught the basics of Islam from a very young age, with an institutionalised culture of attending religious schools.

“Hadi, before making any statements, it’s best to refer to Muhyiddin first as he was the former Johor menteri besar for two terms.

“If Muhyiddin felt like he couldn’t remember, ask Tosrin Jarvanthi, the former religious exco,” said Othman during a press conference at the Johor Umno headquarters.

Johor Umno Veterans Club chairperson Othman Jais

On Monday, Hadi reportedly claimed that a lack of awareness on Islamic politics in Johor had led to PAS' failure to make its mark, contrary to states like Kelantan and Terengganu where PAS continues to lead.

Othman, a former five-term assemblyperson for Buloh Kasap, pointed out that most Malays in Johor also retained their skills in reading and writing the Jawi script, evidence of at least six years of mandatory Islamic classes.

“So if anyone says Johoreans don’t understand Islamic politics, we can’t accept that,” he said.

Signs written in Jawi being held up at the press conference in Johor Umno headquarters


Asked whether Hadi should apologise, Othman said it was an expected move for a fellow Muslim who had made a mistake.

He also argued that Malays and Muslims in Johor have largely rejected PAS for politicising Islam, including through Hadi’s infamous “Amanat Hadi”, which was first delivered in 1981 during another rivalry with Umno.

“If he (Hadi) gave a good example then maybe we can follow… Kelantan, Terengganu and Kedah are led by PAS, (but) what has he done?

“That is why states like Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Malacca try to emulate Johor's education style. If we do good then people will follow,” he added.

Any formal electoral cooperation between Umno and PAS through its Muafakat Nasional pact has been all but terminated, with strained ties between the two parties leading up to the Johor polls.

PAS has since chosen to remain with PN under Muhyiddin, abandoning Umno and BN.