PETALING JAYA: Muslims are less likely to engage in corruption compared to those of other faiths because they believe they are accountable before God, suggests Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang.
In a Facebook post on Thursday (Aug 20), the PAS president said Muslims are guided by their faith and believe corruption is a sin for which they are accountable in the hereafter.
"Not all Muslims are free from corruption but in comparison, Muslims are more protected because all worldly affairs are connected to religion, which includes the reckoning of sins and rewards," he said.
He said Muslims involved in corruption generally have weak faith and have not received proper religious education.
He also said Malays, who make up most of the country's civil servants, are often targeted by those offering bribes.
He attributed this partly to financial pressures faced by some, particularly those with salaries insufficient to support their families amid the rising cost of living in urban areas.
However, Abdul Hadi did not provide any statistics to support his claim, only saying a proper statistical assessment would show this.
He also claimed that non-Muslims involved in economic activities in Malaysia make up a significant proportion of those giving bribes or acting as intermediaries.
Abdul Hadi said Islam prohibits corruption, and action should be taken against everyone involved, including the giver, recipient and intermediary.
"Everyone who is guilty must face action. Do not take selective action," he said.
Abdul Hadi also accused certain parties of using corruption to tarnish the image of Malays and Muslims, citing the Tabung Haji issue as an example.
Abdul Hadi also criticised the Pakatan Harapan administration, claiming that allegations of misconduct emerged during its one term in government.
He described its anti-corruption stance as an empty slogan and accused some of using corruption allegations as a political weapon against their opponents.
