INTERVIEW | Amid allegations of hate speech and stirring racial unrest, Ahmad Faizal Azumu mounted a spirited defence of PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang.

Although responding with a “wow” when Malaysiakini showed him an example of Hadi’s acerbic salvo, the Bersatu deputy president, however, believed it stemmed from the Muslim cleric’s own experiences, especially with DAP.

“I am of the view that everyone has their own opinions. And their opinions are formed based on individual experiences.

“I am sure that he has a reason for why he has said those things. I myself will say that DAP sometimes acts as if it champions the issues and problems of a specific race,” he told Malaysiakini in an interview.

Faizal, who is better known as Peja, also defended Hadi’s controversial claim that non-Muslims and non-bumiputera make up the bulk of the “roots of corruption” in Malaysia.

This statement even prompted Perikatan Nasional (PN)’s more docile member Gerakan to voice its disagreement.

According to Faizal, Hadi did not...