SHOULD PAS BE ALLOWED TO REMAIN IN PR?

By Malaysiakini (Jul 27, 08 8:02pm)

Pakatan Rakyat should seriously consider whether Islamic party PAS should be allowed membership in the opposition coalition, said DAP chairman Karpal Singh.
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The veteran politician has raised a number of troubling actions by PAS leaders which have "thrown grave doubt" over their credibility.

"After the March 8 general elections, PAS had talks with Umno to form a coalition government in Selangor. This was an act of bad faith as both DAP and PKR were not informed of such a move by PAS," said Karpal in a statement.

He added that PAS leaders had also met with their Umno rivals in the name of Malay unity.

"Such a racial move by PAS is incongruous with the policies of DAP and Pakatan Rakyat," said Karpal.

He also took issue with the suggestion by PAS spiritual leader Nik Aziz Nik Mat that Umno and PAS be dissolved and a new Malay-based party be formed.

"Such a revelation is startling and has serious ramifications, implications and consequences," said Karpal.

Nasha: Malays begin to believe sodomy charges

The lawyer-cum-politician who defended PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim against sodomy charges 10 years ago was also upset by PAS secretary-general Nasharuddin Mat Isa's remarks on the fresh round of sodomy allegations.

According to Nasharuddin, the Malays were beginning to believe the sodomy allegations against Anwar, which was made by one of his former aides, Saiful Bukhary Azlan.

"Why did Nasharuddin make such a statement? In making the statement, he has committed PAS as a whole, he being its secretary-general," said Karpal.

"Nasharuddin's statement is not only contemptuous and ill-advised, but an open attack on Anwar who is presently embroiled in efforts to tarnish his credibility by allegations of sodomy."

Karpal said that Malaysians have sent a clear message by voting along non-racial lines in the general elections five months ago.

"Instead of working towards a non-racial policy to unite all Malaysians, PAS has chosen to make efforts to unite all Malays," he lamented.

"PAS should not, and cannot, be allowed to run with the hares and hunt with the hounds lest it be devoured by the hounds."