“[The] general election has not been called yet, and if election is called, I will state my support for the party that I choose,” he told The Malaysian Insider today.
The former Perlis Mufti was among those in attendance here today for the second annual Pakatan Rakyat (PR) convention. He was also seen at a Malay rights convention earlier this year but has ruled out being part of an influx of scholars joining Umno.
Today, the Islamic scholar remained coy when asked whether that meant he would be entering politics next year.
“Let’s see first, I am still thinking about it, I am looking at the political developments, the political climate of this country,” he said with a smile.
This is Mohd Asri’s first time attending a PR convention, although the outspoken scholar is no stranger to Umno and PAS functions. Mohd Asri was invited to PAS’s annual muktamar last June.
Then, he had said that he would not join any political party despite rumours claiming that he would enter Umno.
“But what I need to stress is that till today, I am not affiliated with any political party,” said Mohd Asri.
The scholar expressed admiration, however, for Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat’s administration of Kelantan, saying that he hoped the state would still remain under PAS rule after the next general election.
“Kelantan has to be under Datuk Nik Aziz, PAS because he has proven that the] Kelantan government is a model administration which has to be practised by any party in this country,” Mohd Asri told The Malaysian Insider.
“The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has also cleared him from graft charges... he has shown us an exemplary way of governance,” said Mohd Asri.
He said that he came today to “see for himself” the latest developments surrounding PR.
“The convention secretariat invited me, so I came to have a close look,” he said.
Mohd Asri commended some of the ideas brought forth by PR today, which include reform plans to combat corruption.
“There are many great ideas, but the question is whether Pakatan can put these plans into action. They need to convince everyone that they can execute their ideas... this remains to be seen.
“But people will be attracted to a party or coalition which can deliver,” said Mohd Asri.
He has been critical of Islam being used in politics and has also drawn the ire of religious authorities unhappy with his views.
The Selangor Islamic authority has charged him for preaching without a permit in the state, where Mohd Asri is popular among urban Malays.
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