State polls are about saving Malaysia from religious bigotry, says PM

BUTTERWORTH: The coming state elections are more about saving the country from religious bigotry than winning, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Anwar said the views shared by some PAS leaders are dangerous to the country.

"Some nonsensical issues have been brought up by PAS leaders, like how Prophet Adam landed in Gunung Jerai, and no one questioned it - not even the ulama of PAS.

"No matter who you support, there are some issues and facts you must acknowledge.

"This is clear nonsense accepted out of ignorance, (where) loyalty is more to the party (PAS) than to the religion.

"If you are really committed to the teachings of Islam, you will not tolerate this.

"It was (even) said that those who are against PAS are enemies of Allah," he told the press at an Aidiladha event at the Arowana futsal court in Permatang Pauh on Friday (June 30).

Anwar said when such statements were countered, PAS leaders then questioned why they could not talk about race and claimed that arguing against them was disrespecting the ulama council.

"I have asked my (unity government) colleagues in Pakatan Harapan and Umno to... look into this and deal with it.

"It is not a matter of winning the elections but a matter of saving the country from this religious bigotry," he stressed.

Penang, Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu are due to hold elections soon.