A firm DAP 'No' to theocratic state

Although DAP, PAS together with PKR form the Pakatan Rakyat, the country’s most successful opposition alliance so far, but the internal conflicts that cuts across communal and religious lines still persisted and might cause the collapse of the coalition.

The Pakatan won 82 out of the 222 parliamentary seats in the March national polls. De facto leader Anwar Ibrahim has promised to reverse the majority, currently held by the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition, to his alliance’s favour and form a new government by Malaysia Day on Sept 16 thus might become the political myth.


The different ideologies of PAS and DAP would be the obstacles for the them to be coexisted inside the Pakatan Rakyat politically. PAS with the depth of its radical Islamism, historical avoidance of anti-system strategies and anti-secularism would deepen the political differences of ideologies.

PAS, an initial opposition political party, which, persistently and dedicatedly to the formation of an Islamic state. The party's purists, popularly branded as "ulama", are steadfastly committed to the formation of an Islamic state, replete with Shari'a law and the Hudud code of punishments.

Ironically, PAS positions itself as a political party that aims to establish Malaysia as a country based on Islamic legal theory derived from the primary sources of Islam, the Quran, Sunnah as well as Hadiths.

On the contrary, DAP remains firm in its opposition to PAS setting up an Islamic state as any move in that direction would be unconstitutional. More precisely, DAP will not compromise with PAS over the latter's moves to establish an Islamic state.

PAS with its Islamic credentials and push for the establishment of an Islamic state cost the party lost a lot of support among the non-Muslims that unable to quell the fears of non-Muslims.


In the opening speech at the DAP 2008 congress, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng reiterated his party would reject any proposal to turn the country into a theocratic state, whether Islamic or Christian, fuelling speculation it will just be a matter of time before the Chinese-dominated party hits the collision course with coalition partner and Islamic hardliner PAS.

“Any proposal to turn Malaysia into a theocratic state whether an Islamic or a Christian state is contrary to our vision of a civil society that is multi-cultural and multi-religious. Further, it violates the Federal Constitution that is based on civil laws (and not on religious ones).”

Lim denied his speech was intended to provoke PAS, which has constantly voiced its intention of transforming Malaysia into an Islamic state, should it come to power in the future.

“We have no other intentions; we must abide by the four principles that have been the basis of our unity in Pakatan Rakyat. If we do not understand this, Pakatan will collapse.”

In addressing these questions, the contrasting political ideology between PAS and DAP is always to be taken into consideration. Can these parties with different ideologies and goals get together to form a good government?

PAS abandons gambling and restricts alcohol plan

The fear among Malaysian non-Muslim toward Islam definitely worsened when conservative Islamic party PAS has shelved a proposal to ban gambling and restrict alcohol sales in Penang, Perak, Kedah and Selangor.

Non-Muslim especially Chinese and Indian concerned over rising "Islamisation" of the country. The extreme stereotypes of PAS’s fundamentalist approach as a political strategy fails to take into account the multi-faceted complexity of those Islamic groups as well as the non-Muslim.

It creates unnecessary tension for all concerned thus drawn into controversy and jeopardizes the good tradition of Malaysian unity that has long existed. No Malaysian in their right mind wants to live peacefully with hateful radical extremist folks.

It is a wise decision that conservative Islamic party PAS has shelved a proposal to ban gambling and restrict alcohol sales in the four states-Penang, Perak, Kedah and Selangor, which rules with its political allies.

Mohamad Daud Iraqi, head of the PAS Islamic scholars group, has said the four other opposition-held states - Penang, Perak, Kedah and Selangor which surrounds the capital - should emulate Kelantan's Islamic laws.

"For starters, states under the opposition alliance can reduce the number of gambling premises as gambling is strictly prohibited by all religions,"

In Kelantan, which PAS rules in its own right, it has banned gambling, restricted the sale of alcohol and requires men and women to queue in separate lines at shops.

Kelantan authorities periodically hit the headlines with attempts to ban women from wearing heavy make-up, skimpy clothes and high heels.

Pakatan Rakyat might collapse

Political marriage of convenience is not lasting. It is unstable and may collapse anytime. PAS flexes its muscles is creating a great internal political crisis in Pakatan Rakyat and might cause the collapse of coalition which benefit to BN.

DAP chairman Karpal Singh said, it is not realistic for PAS Dewan Ulama to suggest that party president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang become the prime minister if Pakatan Rakyat forms the Federal Government. Karpal Singh said that at the moment,

PKR had 31 MPs, DAP had 28 and PAS "was the most junior" with 23 MPs. "It is not pragmatic. Traditionally, in any coalition, the prime minister should come from the party with the highest number of MPs, which is PKR in this case," he said Friday.

Dewan Ulama head Datuk Mohamed Daud said on Thursday that Hadi was more qualified to become the prime minister if Pakatan succeeded in forming the new Federal Government by Sept 16.

"It is wrong for PAS to unnecessarily flex its muscles. The individual parties have to abide by the principle that the party with the majority can lay stake to the premiership," he said, adding that similarly, the post of Opposition Leader was now held by PKR.

Karpal Singh said the normal convention during a general election was that the party with the highest number of MPs would seek an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to form the government.

"Departing from convention is not a step in the right direction, and is counter productive. "Hadi should come forward with a statement and openly support PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, if elected, to become prime minister if Pakatan gains the support of the people to enable it to form the government at any time in the future," he said.

Karpal Singh also said it was wrong for Mohamed to make the suggestion at this stage, as the Pakatan component parties should be concentrating on ensuring Anwar wins the Permatang Pauh by-election with a thumping majority.

Ending the PAS and DAP abnormal relationship?

The thrown grave doubt political incidents happening recently shown a bad relationship occurred internally in opposition coalition. Is it the beginning sign of ending the PAS and DAP abnormal relationship?

Pakatan Rakyat should seriously consider whether Islamic party PAS be allowed membership in the opposition coalition, said DAP chairman Karpal Singh.

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 to be formed.

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