Some thrive by 'sowing discord' - Teresa fires back at Hadi
RK Anand
Published: May 10, 2024 7:48 PM
DAP vice-chairperson Teresa Kok has responded with a sarcastic retort to PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang’s vitriol.
The Seputeh MP said she understands the 76-year-old politician’s “dilemma of being trapped in an antiquated mindset that lacks imagination” which forces him to harp on issues of race and religion.
“It must be difficult for Hadi to attack us on other issues such as our economic policies and so forth because he might not be familiar with such complex things.
“So he does what he does best, which is to leverage race and religion, pit one race against another, create division, sow discord, and then accuse others of creating tensions instead.
“For some people, a Malaysia that remains divided serves their interest better because a united Malaysia could make them irrelevant,” Teresa (above) told Malaysiakini this afternoon.
Published: May 10, 2024 7:48 PM
DAP vice-chairperson Teresa Kok has responded with a sarcastic retort to PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang’s vitriol.
The Seputeh MP said she understands the 76-year-old politician’s “dilemma of being trapped in an antiquated mindset that lacks imagination” which forces him to harp on issues of race and religion.
“It must be difficult for Hadi to attack us on other issues such as our economic policies and so forth because he might not be familiar with such complex things.
“So he does what he does best, which is to leverage race and religion, pit one race against another, create division, sow discord, and then accuse others of creating tensions instead.
“For some people, a Malaysia that remains divided serves their interest better because a united Malaysia could make them irrelevant,” Teresa (above) told Malaysiakini this afternoon.
PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang
She also refuted the veteran politician’s allegation that DAP has a clandestine plot aimed at usurping the political power of the Malays as well as dismantling racial and religious identities.
“Hadi should know better since PAS worked together with us not once but twice,” she quipped.
According to Teresa, the concept of “Bangsa Malaysia” is not about creating a single race but rather promoting “universal values such as compassion” for all regardless of colour and creed.
“For example, despite being accused of chauvinism and a laundry list of other things, DAP speaks up for all Malaysians. We also sympathise with the plight of the Palestinian people and our leaders have spoken on this issue.
“Correct me if I am wrong but I cannot recall Hadi speaking about the plight of other communities,” she told Malaysiakini.
No weaponising race, religion
Teresa said the values which DAP subscribes to are not restricted to race or religion and it does not believe in weaponising these issues for votes either.
She also clarified that DAP has no intention of removing Islam as the religion of the federation as mentioned by the party’s secretary-general Anthony Loke in the past.
Making his maiden appearance in Kuala Kubu Baharu last night, Hadi cautioned Umno members and supporters of DAP’s alleged grand design and likened it to the situation in Singapore.
DAP and PAS were allies in the now-defunct Barisan Alternatif and later Pakatan Rakyat before ending their relationship in 2015.
As partners, the leaders from both parties worked hard to dispel the fears among the respective communities but since parting ways, the familiar tirades and fear-mongering have resurfaced.
She also refuted the veteran politician’s allegation that DAP has a clandestine plot aimed at usurping the political power of the Malays as well as dismantling racial and religious identities.
“Hadi should know better since PAS worked together with us not once but twice,” she quipped.
According to Teresa, the concept of “Bangsa Malaysia” is not about creating a single race but rather promoting “universal values such as compassion” for all regardless of colour and creed.
“For example, despite being accused of chauvinism and a laundry list of other things, DAP speaks up for all Malaysians. We also sympathise with the plight of the Palestinian people and our leaders have spoken on this issue.
“Correct me if I am wrong but I cannot recall Hadi speaking about the plight of other communities,” she told Malaysiakini.
No weaponising race, religion
Teresa said the values which DAP subscribes to are not restricted to race or religion and it does not believe in weaponising these issues for votes either.
She also clarified that DAP has no intention of removing Islam as the religion of the federation as mentioned by the party’s secretary-general Anthony Loke in the past.
Making his maiden appearance in Kuala Kubu Baharu last night, Hadi cautioned Umno members and supporters of DAP’s alleged grand design and likened it to the situation in Singapore.
DAP and PAS were allies in the now-defunct Barisan Alternatif and later Pakatan Rakyat before ending their relationship in 2015.
As partners, the leaders from both parties worked hard to dispel the fears among the respective communities but since parting ways, the familiar tirades and fear-mongering have resurfaced.
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