How does PAS link local elections to potential racial conflict?

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PAS Links Local Elections to Potential Racial Conflict by Invoking Historical Precedents

PAS has articulated concerns that the reintroduction of local council elections could exacerbate racial tensions and potentially lead to violence, drawing a parallel to the 1969 May 13 racial riots. This stance was articulated by PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, who argued that such polls could ignite animosity between different ethnic groups.
Historical Context of Racial Unrest

The concerns voiced by PAS are underscored by the historical context of Malaysia's racial riots on May 13, 1969. This period of unrest serves as a stark reminder of the potential for inter-ethnic conflict, which PAS believes could be reignited by divisive electoral processes at the local level.
Arguments Against Reinstating Local Council Polls

PAS has openly disagreed with the Democratic Action Party's (DAP) push to restore local council elections. While acknowledging the DAP's stated commitment to this cause, PAS maintains that the implementation of such elections poses significant risks to social harmony. This disagreement has become a point of contention between the two Pakatan Rakyat allies.
DAP's Counterarguments and Accusations

Conversely, DAP leaders, including Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, have contested PAS's assertions. Lim has stated that the DAP's intentions regarding local council elections were communicated to PAS leadership during Pakatan Rakyat meetings, and that PAS did not object at the time. He has accused PAS leadership of dishonesty and resorting to "half truths" in their public statements.
Historical Precedent of Local Election Suspension

Local council elections in Malaysia were suspended in 1965, ostensibly due to the Indonesian Confrontation. At the time, then-Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman reportedly promised the Dewan Rakyat that these elections would be reinstated after the Confrontation concluded. However, they were never reintroduced.

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How does PAS link local elections to potential racial conflict?

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