Youth reject gimmicks, focus on Islam in state elections - Hadi Awang

SHAH ALAM - The 15th General Election (GE15) showcases the rekindled spirit of youth who aspire to uphold Islam while resisting detrimental influences.

Pas president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang said this spirit is particularly strong in the upcoming state elections, where these individuals show no interest in leaders who resort to gimmicks to attract and entertain them.

"This surpasses the older generation, who are absorbed in their own lives, unaware of the perils that eventually engulf them due to destructive influences.

"Perhaps only those under the influence of drugs and methamphetamine can be driven by desires without considering age," he said in a Facebook post on Tuesday.

The Marang MP also raised the question of whether the behavior of people in the present time resembles that of the people of Nuh (Noah), who were overwhelmed by a powerful flood, or the people who were led astray for 40 years, like Musa (Moses) and Harun (Aaron).

However, he clarified that regardless of the severity of the situation in the present time, Allah will not inflict punishments as severe as those in the past.

The consequences will be limited to leaving them among the unchanging voters, leading to the downfall of the nation or their own demise.

In light of this, Abdul Hadi stressed the crucial role of parents and educators in bringing about comprehensive and transformative changes in the youth.

"They (parents and educators) are essential in molding empowered individuals who can face challenges and achieve significant victories.

"Similarly, they should be successors who do not extinguish the struggle for goodness and the pursuit of happiness in both this world and the hereafter," he added.

On the slogan often quoted as Hang Tuah's words, "Melayu hilang di dunia", Abdul Hadi clarified that it originated from colonisers during his school days.

However, he highlighted that it cannot contradict Allah's warning, as stated in Surah Al-A'raf, verse 34.

"And for every nation, there is a specified term. When their time comes, they cannot delay it even for a moment, nor can they advance it.

"It depends on the attitude of a community or nation to save themselves through change, whether it leads to improvement or decline," he concluded.