JOHOR BARU: Pakatan Harapan will focus on the "politics of ideas" even if certain quarters resort to character assassination instead of debating policies, says Dr Maszlee Malik.
The PKR central leadership council member, the Pakatan candidate for Puteri Wangsa in the July 11 Johor state election, was commenting on the circulation of an old viral video involving him.
The former education minister said such tactics are likely to intensify as polling day approaches, but Pakatan will continue focusing on improving governance and ensuring aid reaches recipients directly.
When met during his campaign walkabout at Felda Tebrau here on Monday (June 29), Maszlee also said Islamic scholars should guide Muslims based on principles of integrity, competence and trustworthiness when choosing leaders.
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He added that this would help them select leaders who are al-qawi (capable) and al-amin (trustworthy).
"Advise people to choose leaders who are knowledgeable, professional, trustworthy and capable of carrying out their responsibilities.
"That is the role of religious scholars – to guide, educate and instil good values among the people," he said.
It is believed he was referring to a Facebook post in which PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang said Malay-Muslims must unite to elect Malay-Muslim leaders as well as non-Muslim leaders who are not extremists.
Hadi also said Malay-Muslims should reject extremist non-Muslim leaders who oppose Islam and seek to dominate the country in alliance with Malays whom he described as liberal and lacking love for their religion and race.
