Chow Kon Yeow: 曹观友

PAS Election director Datuk Mustafa Ali said that PAS members continued to regard both the Barisan Nasional and DAP as the enemy.

“I know you are not comfortable with the DAP but between the two evils, the DAP is the lesser evil,” he said at the PAS muktamar held in Kota Baru yesterday.

I am not surprised that PAS members regard the DAP as their enemy. I know the DAP had been unwavering in many issues that make PAS unhappy. There were many exchanges in Parliament over religious, economic, social, gender and human rights issues the last three years. Although PAS and DAP MPs occupied the same bench, sometimes we do not share the same value and view on such issues.

There were several instances when PAS MPs (especially Salahuddin Ayub) are more willing to take stand similar to those expressed by UMNO MPs because of their similar racial and religious background despite their different political affiliation.

During such occasions I felt a sense of despair.

Well, PAS has to decide who they want as their friends.

PAS youth Chief Salahuddin Ayub said Article 11 group should immediately stop its series of road shows.

He said the group should take their concerns about the religious rights of minorities to the government.

Has Salahuddin forgotten that nine non-Muslims Cabinet Ministers submitted a memorandum direct to the Prime Minister?

Pak Lah told them to withdraw the memorandum even without reading about the contents which talked about religious grievances of the minorities in the country.

Earlier the government also rejected a proposal to set up an Interfaith Council to allow all religious groupings to engage each others on religious matters and Constitutional rights.

Salahuddin, for all his fervent for his religion, should also appreciate efforts by minority religious groups to deal with such issues amicably.

I am sure they know the sensitivities involved and they have been very careful and patience.

I remember Salahuddin declaring in Parliament that he would stand with Umno MPs on issues affecting Islam.

He can choose whoever he likes but I hope he is also willing to listen first before he condemns.

Maybe he should direct PAS state youth chiefs to take part in Article 11 forum and state PAS’ stand and win over the others. Getting his state youth leaders to demonstrate and using brute strength to stop others from speaking up surely reflects poorly on his leadership.

Everyone’s patience is wearing thin. This does not augurs well for the country.