Gerakan Wanita Secretary General Jayanthi Devi Balaguru has criticized Hadi Awang’s objection to the abolishing of the 30 percent stake for bumiputras as akin to racial extremism, that the Islamic party’s true beliefs had come to the fore, and that they do not intend to give up on the agenda of an Islamic State based on racial authority.

“While the people are eager for non-racial, non-religious policies, Hadi Awang has been singing a different tune, by opposing race-based policy efforts and the gradual abolishment of the 30 percent quota by the Prime Minister.”

She said that from previous actions taken by PAS, it was obvious that they have inevitably revealed their true features, and in the past elections the co-operation between DAP and PKR was just to mislead the voters. After the great victory, PAS has begun to go on a frolic of its own, ignoring the needs and voices of the public.

PAS President Abdul Hadi Awang yesteray said that it is not the right time for dropping the 30 percent bumiputera equity in businesses, describing the proposed measures by Prime Minister Najib Razak as detrimental to the bumiputras.

At the same time, she also urged the other PR component parties to make a stand on Hadi’s speech, whether they agree to the abolishing of the 30 percent stake for bumiputras or that they agree with Hadi’s statement. As Hadi Awang had opposed this policy, the DAP and PKR leaders should state whether they are opposed to justice. It is obvious that the 3 PR parties had differences of opinion but to be in favour with their voters, they say they want to listen to the voices of their supporters.

“Chong Eng, the Bukit Mertajam MP from DAP, said that the Prime Minister’s reform policy is still far from a break from racial based policies, but her remarks should be directed at PAS instead!”

She stressed that after 51 years of our independence the people should have a non-racial outlook and it is the people which should be the starting point for the creation of a Malaysian nation. From Gerakan’s perspective if political parties continue to live in the narrow racial mindset, this will certainly not help the country’s progress!