KUCHING: Sarawak Patriots Association (SPA) has also taken exception to PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang’s remarks that non-Muslims and non bumiputeras are the root of corruption.
In a statement on Wednesday (Aug 24) its chairman Datuk John Lau said the remarks appear to have been made intentionally despite knowing it may disrupt public peace.
Putting blame on a specific group or race for the cause of corruption is a very racist remark, without statistical figures as proof, Lau added.
Towards this end he challenged Hadi to produce evidence to back up his claim failing which he should apologise publicly.
“It is a manipulation of facts to fish for votes during the upcoming GE15,” he said, adding, “he should have mentioned what were the roots of corruption.”
Corruption, Lau pointed out, is defined as an abuse of entrusted power for private gain.
“It is a form of dishonesty or a criminal offence which is undertaken by a person or an organisation which is entrusted in a position of authority, in order to acquire illicit benefits or abuse power for one’s personal gain,” he said.
“Corruption is bad for society, but is it defined based on race, ethnicity, and religion?
“Malaysia’s corruption index in 2020 was 51 points. It was 48 points in 2021 and 47 points in 2022. Corruption in Malaysia has deteriorated in just three years. This report was presented by the Transparency International.”
Recently Parti Rakyat Sarawak which castigated Hadi for his racist remarks suggested that the state government bar him from Sarawak permanently
“This Land of the Hornbills should not welcome such awful characters to our shores,” said PRS vice president Datuk Liwan Lagang.
He also urged the Prime Minister to strip Hadi of his position as special envoy to the Middle East.
