There is no democratic country in the world that prevents the implementation of democratic principles except Malaysia, PAS Youth chief Mahfuz Omar said today.

According to Mahfuz, the Malaysian government has denied political parties their basic right of freedom without restrictions.

He told malaysiakini that by banning political parties from holding ceramah (public talks), the Malaysian government has also denied the people their right to obtain information.

If this is denied, what is the meaning of democracy? said Mahfuz, who is also Pokok Sena member of parliament.

He added that not only was the freedom of speech curbed in the country but now the freedom to listen (to political speeches) was also denied.

The PAS Youth chief was responding to Umno information chief Mustapa Mohamed statement yesterday reminding PAS leaders that no country in the world practised absolute democracy without imposing some limitations in the interest of its people.

In a Bernama report yesterday, Mustapa said the governments move to disallow all political parties to hold public ceramah, particularly when no elections were around the corner, did not mean it restricted democratic practices.

The move was to ensure the safety of the people and to ensure national security particularly during a no-election period, he was reported as saying.

PAS guarantee

Meanwhile, PAS vice-president Mustafa Ali said he concurred with Mustapas statement that there is no absolute democracy.

In Islam, there is also limitation to freedom, he told malaysiakini today.

However, Mustafa pointed out that in Malaysia, freedoms which should be allowed have also been curbed.

Referring to the ceramah ban imposed by the government, he said that there were no untoward incidents during PAS political ceramah except at those disrupted by the police.

Mustafa said PAS could guarantee that no unwanted incidents would occur during its ceramah and if possible they would also like to monitor the security for such events themselves.

Earlier this week, the government announced it will no longer allow any ceramah without a police permit following an incident at Kuala Ketil in the northern state of Kedah.

Police said the gathering organised by PAS there last Sunday became unruly and a police truck was set ablaze.