Protest planned in Sarawak over Hadi’s ‘cawat’ remarks

KUCHING: The controversy over PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang’s cawat (loincloth) remarks is continuing to rage in Sarawak, with Parti Rakyat Sarawak’s (PRS) Batang Ai Youth branch planning to burn PAS flags.

PRS members are awaiting a police permit for a protest gathering.

“Even though we are angry with what Hadi said, we will follow the law in our protest,” said branch deputy chief Edwin Raoh, adding that he had applied for a permit at the Lubok Antu police station.

Hadi had angered Sarawak’s Iban community by blaming PKR’s loss in the April 7 Batang Ai by-election on ignorant voters who did not know how to vote and “were still wearing loincloths.”

His remarks, made in the run-up to the Manek Urai by-election, were carried in an online news portal on July 11.

In the Batang Ai by-election, Barisan Nasional retained the Iban-majority seat when PRS’ Malcom Mussen Lamoh defeated former five-time Lubok Antu MP Jawah Gerang of PKR by 1,854 votes.

It was the only by-election not won by Pakatan Rakyat out of the seven held since the last general election.

Raoh said Hadi’s remarks were disparaging of Ibans and had caused anger among the Batang Ai voters.

He said Hadi should visit Batang Ai to see how the people there lived.

“We have progressed because of our support for Barisan Nasional all these years. The Barisan has brought development to Batang Ai. We want Hadi to come here to see our development and apologise for his remarks,” he said.

Also demanding an apology from Hadi was Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Alfred Jabu, who reiterated that the PAS president had offended the Iban community.