At the same time, he thanked the police for their proactive action of initiating investigations against Shahiful, who said those who vote for Pakatan Harapan and BN will be “going to hell”.

“Despite that, I will continue with my intention of lodging a police report against Shahiful and PAS over that statement and other remarks that are often repeated at their programmes and ceramah that are meant to incite hatred against the multiracialism in this country, other races, religions, or meant to scare Muslims into not voting for other parties, besides PAS using religion as a threat,” Rafizi (above) said in a press conference at the PKR headquarters today.

He said the contents and theme of PAS’ campaign in this election tend to revolve around three main messages, which are:

1. That Islam is being threatened in this country unless Malay voters choose them (PAS) in the election because other parties like Harapan and BN do not hold enough Islamic faith, unlike those in PAS.

2. That if other parties like Harapan win this election, Islamic practices like the azan (call to prayer) would be abolished.

3. That if Muslim voters vote for other parties like Harapan and BN, they will go to hell.

Such messaging is extremely dangerous, Rafizi said, not because it might scare people off of voting for Harapan but because it is a threat to the multiculturalism that is the foundation of the country.

“While such campaigns that ride on Islam make easy work for PAS and PN as they don’t have to work hard to convince the rakyat about their capabilities to govern, such campaigns provide space for the rise of extremist views in the mainstream.

“I am actually more worried because it will incite hatred against certain groups, especially in the name of race and religion,” Rafizi said. Shahiful has since apologised for the “going to hell” remarks he made, which went viral on social media.

Aside from that, Rafizi said it is also worrying that PAS seems to not want to take responsibility, even when such remarks are made by others on their stage or upon their invitation to the event.

He was referring to actor Zul Huzaimy, who previously said he harboured a wish to “slaughter kafir harbi” during an event officiated by PAS’ Chukai assemblyperson Hanafiah Mat.

Also present at that event was Dungun PAS Youth division chief Mohd Fadhli Rahmi Zulkifli. Zul has since apologised for his remarks and said the contentious portion of his speech was taken out of context when viewed in isolation.

Earlier, Kedah PAS chief Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor had disavowed Zul’s association with PAS.  “I don’t know him. He does not represent PAS. It’s dangerous for him to say that. He can be arrested.

“Don’t relate him to PAS. He is neither a party leader nor a member… If he wants to sabotage our programme, you cannot blame PAS,” Sanusi had said.

Why is this Bastard NOT Arrested and Charged

In his press conference today, Rafizi said it is time for Malaysians to take seriously the hateful and inciting content and themes of PAS’ campaign.

He said if Harapan wins GE15, the coalition’s main focus would be to enact anti-hatred legislation on the basis of race, religion, gender, and any other grouping.

Rafizi will lodge his police report against PAS at the Ampang Jaya district police headquarters tomorrow (Nov 15) at 10am and he invited all Malaysians who are against such politics of hatred to join him outside the premises as a show of support.

Meanwhile, Shahiful in a letter on Nov 11 offered his resignation from the party post. “I am seeking to resign out of free will without coercion from any quarters. I take full responsibility over what has happened.

“I was only speaking for myself in the video and was not representing the views of PAS or PN. “I also apologise to everyone, including those in PAS and PN, who are affected and offended by my speech,” he said in the letter, which has also been circulating on social media.

The local PAS branch secretary, Badrul Hisham Abdul Rahman, confirmed receiving the letter from Mohd Shahiful but declined to comment further.