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DAP slams PAS over secret talks |
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Monday, 28 July 2008 07:29am |
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©The
Star (Used by permission)
PETALING JAYA: The DAP has slammed PAS’ pledge not to abandon Pakatan Rakyat to
join Barisan Nasional as insincere.
DAP national chairman Karpal Singh cited the Islamist party's secret meetings
with Umno several days after the March 8 general election.
“This was an act of bad faith as both the DAP and PKR were not informed of the
move by PAS,” he said in a statement yesterday, adding that such a meeting was
not in line with Pakatan policies.
He also hit out at PAS spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat’s suggestion
that Umno and PAS dissolve to form a new party to unite all Malays.
“Such a revelation is startling and has serious ramifications, implications and
consequences,” he said.
“Statements made by PAS leaders of late give the perception that they are out to
scuttle Pakatan Rakyat.”
He also questioned PAS secretary-general Nasharuddin Mat Isa’s motive for saying
that Malays were starting to believe the sodomy allegations against PKR de
facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said Nasharuddin’s statement was an open attack on Anwar, which was
contemptuous and ill advised at a time when Anwar was making efforts to counter
what is seen as an attempt to smear his name.
He said Pakatan was voted in to rule five states along non-racial lines and that
it was formed to unite all Malaysians, not just Malays.
“Instead of working towards a non-racial policy to unite all Malaysians, PAS has
chosen to make efforts to unite all Malays,” said the Bukit Gelugor MP.
PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang had on Saturday given an assurance
that PAS had no intention of merging with Umno or joining Barisan.
He said PAS was invited to the talks with Umno, and did not initiate it.
Karpal: Should PAS remain in Pakatan?
PETALING JAYA: PAS has thrown grave doubts over its credibility and the Pakatan
Rakyat should seriously consider whether PAS should be allowed to continue its
membership in the coalition, said DAP national chairman Karpal Singh.
He cited the Islamist party’s secret meetings with Umno several days after the
March 8 general election.
“This was an act of bad faith as both the DAP and PKR were not informed of the
move by PAS,” he said in a statement yesterday, adding that such a meeting was
not in line with Pakatan policies.
He also hit out at PAS spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat’s suggestion
that Umno and PAS dissolve to form a new party to unite all Malays.
“Such a revelation is startling and has serious ramifications, implications and
consequences.
“Nik Aziz’s statement reduces to naught (PAS president Datuk Seri) Hadi Awang’s
statement that PAS would not merge with Umno.
“Statements made by PAS leaders of late give the perception that they are out to
scuttle Pakatan Rakyat,” said Karpal Singh.
He also questioned PAS secretary-general Nasharuddin Mat Isa’s motive for saying
that Malays were starting to believe the sodomy allegations against PKR de
facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said that Nasharuddin’s statement was an open attack on Anwar, which was
contemptuous and ill advised at a time when Anwar was making efforts to counter
what is seen as an attempt to smear his name.
He said Pakatan was voted in to rule five states along non-racial lines and that
it was formed to unite all Malaysians, not just Malays.
“Instead of working towards a non-racial policy to unite all Malaysians, PAS has
chosen to make efforts to unite all Malays,” said the Bukit Gelugor MP.
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