Hadi Awang: Muslims less involved in corruption than non-Muslims due to faith

PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang has asserted that Muslims are less implicated in corruption than non-Muslims, attributing this to Islamic beliefs and the prospect of divine judgment. In a recent statement, Hadi highlighted that religious convictions and the fear of sinning before Allah discourage Muslims from engaging in corrupt activities, thereby making them less susceptible to graft compared to non-Muslims who, according to Hadi, dominate Malaysia’s principal economic sectors.

He posited that a thorough statistical analysis would likely reveal that non-Muslims are more frequently entangled in corruption, despite acknowledging that some Muslims with insufficient religious instruction, especially those lacking formal religious education, may also participate in bribery. Hadi also criticized the perceived inconsistency in Malaysia's anti-corruption enforcement, suggesting that the severity of action taken against individuals varies based on their status, with those holding higher ranks facing stiffer penalties while lower-ranking individuals often bear the full brunt of the consequences.

He further alleged that senior officials frequently escape punishment due to their rank, while lower-ranking individuals are held accountable to the fullest extent. Hadi maintained that some politicians are unfairly accused of opposing the government to justify punitive measures against them, while others endure prolonged investigations.

Regarding Tabung Haji, Hadi acknowledged instances of misconduct within Islamic financial institutions but alleged that similar or more severe misconduct within government-linked companies (GLCs) and other entities is often overlooked. He argued that the focus on Tabung Haji's shortcomings is due to its Islamic branding, while the contributions of the vast majority of individuals involved in the fund are disregarded.

Additionally, Hadi cited the Penang tunnel project, claiming that its case was only partially reviewed before being dropped, resulting in limited public discourse. He also pointed to Malay and Muslim-linked entities, ranging from large to small, being disproportionately targeted in corruption cases to tarnish Islam’s reputation, despite claiming that non-Muslim and non-Malay economic actors, including significant players, are more implicated in corruption, including in the misuse of subsidies intended for impoverished farmers and fishermen.

Hadi praised PAS-led state governments, notably Kelantan under PAS governance, for their reputation as being "free from corruption," despite federal pressures and accusations of denied state rights. Conversely, he criticized the Pakatan Harapan federal administration, disputing its anti-corruption rhetoric and dismissing it as insincere.

He attributed the emergence of misconduct allegations within its tenure to political machinations and dismissed its false claims of combating corruption, likening the government’s "war on corruption" to a hollow proclamation. Drawing upon religious texts, Hadi warned that political entities that elect leaders through corrupt methods will ultimately succumb to corruption, drawing a parallel to the United States, where leaders are now chosen based on wealth rather than knowledge or integrity.

He cautioned against using corruption allegations as a political tool to undermine opponents, instead advocating for genuine efforts to curb corruption by avoiding selective enforcement and shielding officials from accountability.