Amanah’s Raja Bahrin backs Ku Li’s ‘political prostitute’ insult at PAS

(FMT) – An Amanah leader has backed Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah’s description of PAS as “political prostitutes”, saying it was “accurate and consistent” with the Islamist party’s behaviour in recent years.

In a statement, Raja Kamarul Bahrin Shah, a former PAS MP, said this is why the party could only muster a protest note to the veteran Umno leader over his comments.

In a recent interview, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, more commonly known as Ku Li, had labelled PAS a “political prostitute” for working with various parties. He also called for Umno to contest against PAS in the next general election.

Raja Kamarul, the Terengganu Amanah chairman today said Tengku Razaleigh would have solid reasons for his remarks and insights on how the party has changed from when his now-defunct Semangat 46 and PAS worked together between the late 80s and early 90s.

He added that PAS had plotted with Umno, PPBM and traitors in Pakatan Harapan (PH) to topple the previous administration.

“(They) formed a new government where PAS plays politics on two fronts, in Perikatan Nasional with PPBM and Muafakat Nasional with Umno.

“With Umno and PPBM having some problems, PAS again chose to side with the party in power, the prime minister’s party, PPBM,” he said, adding that during PH’s reign, PAS had backed Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s leadership.

So, he said, Tengku Razaleigh’s “political prostitute” remark was “spot on” with the party’s actions since the passing of its spiritual leader Nik Aziz Nik Mat.

Raja Kamarul, who is a senator in the Dewan Negara, also accused PAS of abandoning its ideals for power.

“Where is the concept of the Malay-Muslim nation when lottery special draw days are increased from eight to 22 days a year? When gambling houses and casinos are reopened, and when even alcohol factories are reopened under PN during an emergency?

“Also, what happened to RUU355?,” he asked, referring to PAS’ proposed amendments to the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act 1965 (RUU 355), which the party’s president Abdul Hadi Awang had pushed for when it was in the opposition during the previous Barisan Nasional administration.

He claimed many within PAS are embarrassed and regret the manner in which the party has carried itself in recent years.