Sarawak PAS told its coalition partner DAP today that it is free to leave the Pakatan Rakyat coalition in the state "if it is important to the DAP".

Sarawak DAP in a statement yesterday announced that it has passed a resolution warning that it could leave the state coalition unless PAS central leadership withdraws its intention to implement hudud in Kelantan.

But Sarawak PAS commissioner Adam Ahid (right) said today that the proposal to implement hudud in Kelantan was moved before Pakatan Rakyat was formed as a coalition and that PAS has the right to pursue such a law for Muslims in Kelantan.

"DAP Sarawak has the right to exit Pakatan. PAS has no right to stop it, if it's for the importance of  DAP Sarawak. But PAS wishes to stress that any unwise move can destroy an organisation," Adam said in a statement.

The Islamist party also called on DAP Sarawak to think rationally and asked if it would still be able to win more seats in the next election without the cooperation of the other Pakatan parties.

Adam further said as coalition partners, every problem should be brought to the "negotiation table internally", instead of just one party passing a resolution.

"We recommend that a special roundtable is convened to give a special briefing on hudud and the Islamic penal code, so that the people can better understand its implementation," he said.

Adam also stressed that PAS would still make itself available for its partners in the state if its help is needed.

"We hope this problem can be settled and discussed internally, so that Pakatan's relationship remains strong and a choice for the people in the coming state elections," he said.

DAP Sarawak leader Chong Chieng Jen (right) yesterday also criticised PKR, the other Pakatan partner, for not making a clear-cut stance on the issue.
 
"State DAP finds it unconvincing to keep the coalition going particularly now with PAS challenging and infringing (Pakatan)’s basic principle," Chong said yesterday.
 
DAP has strongly opposed PAS' overtures to implement hudud in Kelantan, a move that has been stalled at the moment as the Kelantan state leadership is part of a special committee formed by the federal government to look into the matter.
 
The national level coalition of Pakatan is also facing similar threat, with DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang warning that the break-up of Pakatan at a national level possible if hudud is pushed through.

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