Sanusi rejects "marriage for votes" idea, slams Youth wing for creating a fuss

TEMERLOH - Pas election director Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor agreed that cross-cultural marriages could be a method for the party to gain support from non-Malay voters. However, the Kedah Menteri Besar clarified that marriages solely for this purpose were invalid under Islamic law.

"Marriage with non-Muslims is not allowed; one must first become Muslim. If it's with people of other ethnicities, that's fine, it's one way, no problem, can explore. It's about ethnicity, not religion.

"Marrying just for votes is not valid. Marry for ‘Lillahitaala’ (for Allah), they (Pas Youth) just wants to create a fuss,” he said at a press conference after officiating the 64th Pas Muslimat Assembly here on Friday.

Previously, Selangor Pas Youth Chief Aubidullah Fahim Ibrahim proposed that the party’s leadership consider cross-cultural or cross-ethnic marriages as a political strategy to boost support from non-Malay communities.

The proposal from the Selangor delegate during the 65th Pas Youth Assembly debate on yesterday attracted attention from netizens and several other politicians.

Umno Secretary-General Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki criticised the suggestion and emphasised the sanctity of marriage.

"In Islam, marriage is a sacred union before Allah SWT and should not be used as a tool for political gain or personal ambition,” he said in a post on X.

Meanwhile, when asked if Sanusi was willing to be considered as a Prime Ministerial candidate, he stated that he was not pursuing the position and his political direction was determined by the party's leadership.

"I am a party person, I don’t have targets because the party decides positions. I don’t have personal ambitions. It’s not that I’m not pursuing it because I’m a party person.

"I’ve never thought about becoming a Prime Minister candidate, let alone running for elections," he said.