Hadi: Anwar cannot be trusted

“For example he (Anwar) becomes an imam in the mosque, but in Sikh places (gurdwaras) he dressed up like a Sikh and in Tamil places (Hindu temples) he dances according to Tamil tunes”

(NST) – AS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang has hit out at Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, saying that the PKR president-elect could not be trusted as a Muslim and a leader.

At a media conference tonight after delivering a speech to campaign for PAS’ candidate in the Port Dickson by-election, Mohd Nazari Mokhtar, Abdul Hadi described Anwar as being inconsistent in his Islamic practice.

For example, he said Anwar would indulge in other religious practices according to his surroundings.

“We live in a multiracial community. We respect the freedom to embrace any religion. But we must be consistent with our religion and our race.

“For example he (Anwar) becomes an imam in the mosque, but in Sikh places (gurdwaras) he dressed up like a Sikh and in Tamil places (Hindu temples) he dances according to Tamil tunes,” Abdul Hadi said.

He pointed out that Anwar should hold on to his self-identity.

“We have our own (religious) culture. And the Tamils (Hindus) respect if we have our own identity.

“(If we uphold our own cultural values) the Tamils will not be angry with us. The Chinese will not be angry with us.

“We can hold (religious) dialogues with anyone. But we must be consistent with our own self-identity.”

Earlier in his speech Abdul Hadi also said a leader, in alluding to Anwar, must be chosen based on his consistency with his identity.

“Now we have a person who ‘berlakon’ (impersonates) according to his surroundings. Inconsistent.

“We need to understand this. When choosing a leader, we must not do so based on worldly requirements.”

Abdul Hadi also proposed that Anwar did not have “faith in his own race” as he had picked to run for Port Dickson, where the Malays only formed 43 per cent of the population.

“He picked a place dominated by other races. If he does not believe in his own race (to support him), how will the others put their faith in him?”

The Port Dickson by-election was called after incumbent Datuk Danyal Balagopal Abdullah vacated the seat to pave way for Anwar’s return to the parliament.

Anwar is now locked in a seven-cornered battle for the seat.

Polling day has been fixed on Oct 13.