PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang should not use the cloak of religion whenever it suits him and his party, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said today.

According to Zahid, inconsistent statements from religious leaders such as Hadi will cost them the respect of the people.

Yesterday, Hadi said PAS did not break any election laws when offering money to voters in Kuala Terengganu.

“When we give money, it is bribery but when PAS gives out cash, it is charity,” Zahid said.

“As a religious scholar, Hadi should not pick and choose a fatwa whenever he feels like it.

“In the end, political ulama won’t be respected by the public. An ulama has to be an ulama. They cannot just simply change any fatwa,” Zahid said at the MCA Chinese New Year open house this morning.

Yesterday, Hadi had defended the party handing out cash to voters during the last general election, stating that it was charity, hence not against election rules.

The Marang MP said existing rules only prohibited candidates and their representatives from giving cash to voters.

“According to election law, a candidate or a candidate’s representative cannot give out cash, it is up to the public to give alms,” Hadi said.

Earlier today, Umno information chief Isham Jalil slammed what he said was Hadi’s attempt to legitimise bribing voters.

Isham said any act of giving money to voters is bribery.

“Charity has no reciprocation, it is sincerely given to the needy. If a transaction has something in return, it is not charity, but rather business, bribery or other transactions other than charity.

“Giving money to voters during the election and making them swear to vote for PAS is not charity, it is bribery,” he posted on Facebook. – January 22, 2023.