He said Muslim leaders like Tunku had in the early years of the country’s history portrayed Islam as moderate, modern, progressive, tolerant and amicable, compared with the “nonsense and harshness” depicted by PAS.
“This sweet face of Islam (under Tunku) led to continued cooperation between Umno, MCA and MIC for decades, compared with the fragile relationship between PAS and DAP that was apparently for political convenience,” he said in his blog today.
He cautioned that supporting the move by PAS to push for shariah amendments will only regress efforts by Umno leaders to highlight the beauty of Islam to non-Muslims.
Zainuddin, a former Umno leader, said this in calling for Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) to not support the proposed amendments to the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 (Act 355).
“I would like to give a reminder to be cautious in supporting Act 355 as the hopes of non-Malays are on PPBM to assume the role of Umno in having an approach towards Islam that is considerate to this country,” he said.
PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said on Saturday that PPBM president Muhyiddin Yassin had told PAS leaders in a meeting that he would give his full commitment to back the party in the Dewan Rakyat, including on the proposed amendments to Act 355.
PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang has been pushing to increase the maximum punishment for shariah offences to 30 years’ jail, 100 lashes of the cane and RM100,000 in fines, through a private member’s bill on the amendments tabled last year.
However, PPBM chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad has reproached PAS over the move and criticised the amendments.
Zainuddin, popularly known as Zam, said what differentiates PAS from Umno is the religious approach taken by the latter to make non-Muslims have faith in the efforts to strengthen Islam.
This was the approach championed by Tunku, his successor Tun Abdul Razak, and later by Mahathir and Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Zainuddin said.
He said the conservative attitude exhibited by PAS in its cause has caused a major shift in non-Muslim support for Umno.
“The threat of PAS’ Islam on non-Muslims can be felt by the non-Muslims in Selangor when its joint government with PKR tried to prohibit the sale of alcohol, including in non-Muslim shops, and also in separating male and female audiences in cinemas,” he said.