PAS should leave its old-fashioned narratives behind in arguing that only Muslims can govern Malaysia, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said today.

He said the unity government he leads looks after all Malaysians, and does not neglect the Malays. 

He dismissed PAS’ claim that Pakatan Harapan (PH) is unfit to govern as the coalition comprises non-Muslim parties. 

Anwar said PAS should look at the policies his government is executing. 

“It’s not a question about the majority in the coalition (being) non-Malays. 

“The important thing is that our policies do not leave the Malays behind,” he told reporters after officiating an Orientalism Paintings Exhibition at the Islamic Arts Museum today.

Anwar reminded the opposition that Malaysia is a multiracial country that safeguards Islamic rights.

“This is the guarantee of our country’s peace. I don’t like people to be misled by this sentiment,” he said.

He was responding to PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang’s comment yesterday that PH is unfit to lead the country as the coalition is dominated by non-Muslim parties.

Hadi said the government is weak because it is not led by a Malay-Muslim party.

“PH is hopeless because its position is very weak. The biggest party in GE15 was PN (Perikatan Nasional). PAS won 43 seats, Bersatu won 34.

“DAP won 49 seats, PKR won 39 seats. Eleven (of the winners) were non-Malays, so it is actually dominated by non-Muslims.

“It’s a pact that doesn’t suit the majority of the Malaysian community, which are the Malay-Muslims,” he said. – June 2, 2023.