PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang with party supreme leader Datuk Haron Din. DAP today says the Islamist party has not been speaking up on corruption and good governance, and doubts it can bring about change even with a new multiracial opposition bloc. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, March 11, 2016.DAP today questioned whether PAS could be inclusive, anti-corruption and efficient in administration after the Islamist party announced plans to form a second opposition block with a multiracial party it has yet to name.
DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said the plan would be defeated if PAS was unable to be inclusive and respectful of others.
"It is their right to form a coalition but what is crucial is whether they will be inclusive or not.
"One of their leaders, a strong supporter of (PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul) Hadi (Awang), Khairuddin recently said in conjunction with the International Womens' Day celebration that women should stay home to prevent families from breaking up," he told reporters today.
Reports earlier this week quoted PAS Ulama central committee information chief Datuk Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali as saying that women should fulfil their true function as wives and mothers at home.
"This type of views, that women cannot be good housewives if they have jobs, is not inclusive and disrespectful to women," said Lim, who is also the Penang chief minister, after opening the new manufacturing plant of German multinational company Atotech at the Penang Science Park.
Lim (pic, left) questioned whether PAS could deliver on important matters such as graft and good governance.
"Secondly, their stand on corruption is not firm enough, like in the 1MDB (1Malaysia Development Berhad) issue and the (RM2.6 billion) donation scandal. Can they be firm in fighting corruption?
"Thirdly, from the aspect of efficiency, can they bring change to the administration? To do better than Barisan Nasional?
"If we look at how the Kelantan government is run, I think it will not earn the people's confidence. Like in the logging issue, and in the housing issue for flood victims, some of whom are still living in tents."
DAP and PAS, once part of the now defunct Pakatan Rakyat, fell out over PAS's insistence to push for the Islamic penal code.
The progressive faction within PAS later left the party after its leadership fell to the more conservative ulama faction, and formed Amanah, which has teamed up with PKR and DAP to set up Pakatan Harapan.
Lim said the people could judge PAS's proposed opposition pact for themselves.
"You may have the support but can you bring change? If you are not inclusive, not firm in fighting corruption, cannot run the government efficiently, there will not be movement towards change.
"So no meaning," said Lim.
Yesterday, PAS secretary-general Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan said his party would form a second opposition coalition.
He said the new bloc was roping in a “multiracial party”, but would not be working with Umno, adding that a memorandum of understanding would be signed on March 16. – March 11, 2016.
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