PETALING JAYA: Although the spotlight on 3R (race, religion, royalty) issues in campaigning in the Kemaman by-election has been less intense than the recent state elections, it has not stopped the country’s biggest two Malay-based parties from claiming that they are the ones championing the issues the right way.

       Umno secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said Umno has always upheld Islam, but unlike PAS, its approach is based on the principles of wasatiyyah (moderation and fairness), progressiveness and civility.

       “We do not resort to ridiculing and attacking others with labels such as ‘kafir’ (infidel) or ‘munafiq’ (hypocrite) as if we are holier than thou,” he said.

       He was referring to incidences of PAS members labelling Umno a party of infidels in the past.

       Asyraf said it was unfair of PAS to say that Umno was trying to emulate it or be “more Islamic.”

       Perikatan Nasional’s PAS candidate Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, the Terengganu Mentri Besar, and Barisan Nasional’s Gen (R) Tan Sri Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor, a former chief of the Armed Forces, are in a straight fight in the by-election, with polling to be held tomorrow.

       PAS vice-president Datuk Idris Ahmad said the party had always championed the Malay and Islam issues in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Constitution.

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       He said because Kemaman was on the Islamist party’s home turf, Umno has been inclined to make a similar claim.

       “The Madani government leaders played up 3R issues as they wanted to convince voters that Umno is more Islamic.

       “This is because PAS, which has always championed Islam, is the favoured party, as proven in the last general and state elections.

       “Parties under Perikatan highlight 3R issues in accordance with what is allowed in the Federal Constitution,” said Idris, who is also the Bagan Serai MP.