Karpal: PAS has to accept 'reality'
Published: Jan 16, 2009 2:55 PM | Updated: Jan 16, 2009 3:03 PM
DAP chairperson Karpal Singh has likened his attack against PAS’ hudud intention as an attempt to make the Islamic-based party accept “reality” rather than a threat.
The DAP chair denies threatening PAS but likens his attack as an attempt to make the Islamic-based party accept “reality”.
DAP chairperson Karpal Singh has likened his attack against PAS’ hudud intention as an attempt to make the Islamic-based party accept “reality” rather than a threat.
“My aim is to get PAS leaders to accept reality. I accept friends should not threaten each other.
“On the other hand, good friends must point out the misconceptions of their friends,” Karpal reasoned in a statement today.
Stressing that he has no personal agenda against PAS, the DAP chief however reiterated that PAS has to accept that no other laws should govern the country other than secular ones.
“Every effort should be made by component parties of Pakatan Rakyat to work towards fulfilling the aspirations of all races in the country. In this regard, DAP will give its full support,” he said.
Three days ago, Karpal said that should PAS continue to insist that hudud be implemented in the event that PAS governs the country, DAP would leave the Pakatan coalition.
He stressed that the Islamic state concept was against the federal constitution's secular vision of Malaysia. Both these visions, he stressed, cannot be reconciled even if Islamic laws were only applicable to Muslims.
Other DAP leaders however said that Karpal’s view on the matter was his ‘personal opinion’ and not that of the party.
BN’s campaign ammo
The ‘threat’ issued by Karpal was later used as ammunition by the BN in the Kuala Terengganu (KT) by-election who pointed out to voters that the issue reflected disunity in the Pakatan coalition.
The matter had also been used by MCA as part of BN’s campaign to scare Chinese voters who form 11 percent of KT’s population.
Commenting on this, Karpal said MCA leaders like Ong Tee Keat should “not pull wool over the eyes of the people by now attempting to be the champion of secular state and opponent to hudud,” he said.
He added that Ong was part of the MCA leadership who had openly supported former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s statement in 2001 that Malaysia was already an Islamic state.
“My aim is to get PAS leaders to accept reality. I accept friends should not threaten each other.
“On the other hand, good friends must point out the misconceptions of their friends,” Karpal reasoned in a statement today.
Stressing that he has no personal agenda against PAS, the DAP chief however reiterated that PAS has to accept that no other laws should govern the country other than secular ones.“Every effort should be made by component parties of Pakatan Rakyat to work towards fulfilling the aspirations of all races in the country. In this regard, DAP will give its full support,” he said.
Three days ago, Karpal said that should PAS continue to insist that hudud be implemented in the event that PAS governs the country, DAP would leave the Pakatan coalition.
He stressed that the Islamic state concept was against the federal constitution's secular vision of Malaysia. Both these visions, he stressed, cannot be reconciled even if Islamic laws were only applicable to Muslims.
Other DAP leaders however said that Karpal’s view on the matter was his ‘personal opinion’ and not that of the party.
BN’s campaign ammo
The ‘threat’ issued by Karpal was later used as ammunition by the BN in the Kuala Terengganu (KT) by-election who pointed out to voters that the issue reflected disunity in the Pakatan coalition.
The matter had also been used by MCA as part of BN’s campaign to scare Chinese voters who form 11 percent of KT’s population.
Commenting on this, Karpal said MCA leaders like Ong Tee Keat should “not pull wool over the eyes of the people by now attempting to be the champion of secular state and opponent to hudud,” he said.
He added that Ong was part of the MCA leadership who had openly supported former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s statement in 2001 that Malaysia was already an Islamic state.
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