"What's the point of being Muslim if they (Muslims) don't want to raise the stature of their own court? The Syariah Court only affects Muslims and has nothing to do with non-Muslims. It is strange that non-Muslims would oppose it (Hadi's Private Member's Bill to amend the Syariah Courts [Criminal Jurisdiction] Act), and even stranger that there are Muslims supporting those non-Muslims."

– PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang circa 2016

COMMENT | The dumbest argument made against PAS is that it exploits religion. PAS does not need to exploit religion because PAS more often than not defines religious policies in this country.

PAS' first principles are its atavistic interpretations of religious dogma. Its political agenda, which it has sometimes sublimated when it was in Pakatan Rakyat, for instance, is to make a theocratic state in form and, more importantly, in substance.

PAS has never hidden who they are. 

Here are a few examples of religious exploitation. Presiding over the religious conversion of a youth. Claiming that the destruction of an illegal holy site is a victory, then attempting to walk back on that statement.

Wearing the tudung (headscarf) when there are many women who argue that it is a choice that is denied to them. Non-Muslims interpreting Quranic verse to suit a political narrative.

Advocating for Islamisation through the constitutional process when you claim to be a secular party. These are examples of politicians exploiting religion, made worse by the fact that they are...