Downplaying army general’s promotion reveals PAS’s true colours, says MP

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Downplaying army general’s promotion reveals PAS’s true colours, says MP

DAP’s Syahredzan Johan accuses the party of overlooking the sacrifices made by non-Malays for the country

Bangi MP Syahredzan Johan reminded PAS that non-Malays have long fought and sacrificed for the nation alongside their Malay counterparts, and that their rights are clearly guaranteed under the Federal Constitution.

PETALING JAYA: DAP MP Syahredzan Johan has accused PAS of showing its true colours after the Islamic party’s central committee member Zuhdi Marzuki defended a party leader over a social media post speculating about the prospect of a Malaysian of Chinese descent becoming prime minister.

The Bangi MP in a Facebook post said Zuhdi’s defence of Sungai Buloh PAS chief Zaharudin Muhammad revealed the party’s disregard for the sacrifices of non-Malays.

“This action has exposed the true face of PAS, that it does not appreciate the service and sacrifice of non-Malays in this country,” he said.


He reminded PAS that non-Malays have long fought and sacrificed for the nation alongside their Malay counterparts, and that their rights are clearly guaranteed under the Federal Constitution.

Zaharudin had courted controversy when he uploaded a Facebook post which had included a photo of Johnny Lim, who was promoted to armed forces lieutenant-general earlier this week. Johnny is the first Malaysian of Chinese descent to attain the three-star rank.


In the caption, he speculated about Malaysia having its first Chinese prime minister in the next 30 to 40 years. The post has since been deleted.

Zaharudin’s post sparked backlash, including from DAP adviser Lim Guan Eng and deputy secretary-general Steven Sim, who accused him of racialising a merit-based military advancement.

The PAS leader doubled down, saying that his post was aimed at raising awareness about the possibility of Malaysia My Second Home visa holders having children in Malaysia, seeking citizenship and even voting in the country.

Zaharudin, the son-in-law of PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, also claimed to have included Johnny’s photo in his post merely for “decorative purposes”. It was not intended to convey any explicit or implicit message, he said.


Zuhdi came to Zaharudin’s defence, blaming DAP for allegedly “playing on sensitivities” and creating controversy out of the issue.

Syahredzan dismissed Zuhdi’s remarks as baseless, saying the only controversy stemmed from Zaharudin’s “racist undertones” and not from those defending Johnny’s credentials.

He said the issue was not about political rivalry but about acknowledging the accomplishments of a Malaysian who had earned his promotion through merit.

PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan said the post went against the Islamic party’s stance and warned of disciplinary action against members who engaged in insensitive behaviour that undermined national unity and fostered disharmony.