KOTA TINGGI: Choosing a leader or people's representative is a duty for all Muslims, and should not be taken lightly, Pas president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang said.
Citing an example from Prophet Muhammad's death, Hadi said only a few people were present during the Prophet's funeral.
"A large number of leaders who were the Prophet's companions had gathered at Sakiffah Bai Saidah. What was that for? To choose a new leader to replace Prophet Muhammad.
"Islamic scholars have said they are of the view that a funeral procession can be handled by only a few people, but the process of choosing a new leader is a massive responsibility.
"They left the (Prophet Muhammad's) funeral to attend a meeting to choose who will be the next leader," he said in his speech during the official launch of the Johor Perikatan Nasional (PN) event last night (Friday).
Also present were PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Gerakan president Datuk Dr Dominic Lau Hoe Chai.
Hadi, who is Marang member of parliament said every Muslim will be held accountable on the Day of Judgment about who they have chosen as their leaders.
"God will ask. Some vote carelessly, while others are influenced by lies. Others don't even want to find out about what's happening, or and (some don't) vote."
He said the country will be destroyed if the leaders elected are comprised of those who follow the colonial approach of practising money politics.
He said money politics is a "Jewish disease" which had then led to the destruction of the race.
"The Quran taught us many things, but unfortunately, we just read it or recite it according to the Tajwid (pronunciation and recital rules) without knowing the meaning.
"All Muslims should understand and learn the lessons from the Talut story in the Quran who was appointed by Allah to be the leader of the Jews, but his own people rejected it due to their habit of practising money politics."