KUALA LUMPUR: The formation of Pakatan Nasional will allow Pas and Barisan Nasional to replace Pakatan Harapan with a “back door” government that consists a Muslim-dominated federal government that would be openly hostile to non-Muslims, the Federal Constitution and democratic institutions.
DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng in a statement said Pakatan Nasional, which aims to replace the PH government, posed a clear and present danger to the Malaysian way of life.
“Following Pas’ leaders clear and unequivocal declaration, they do not want non-Muslims to be appointed as Cabinet ministers, especially in key posts like the Finance Minister despite no specific prohibition in the constitution.
“Such a dangerous, divisive and destructive politics is consistent with racist and religious extremist statements from Pas and Umno leaders, that was condoned by both MCA and MIC.
“Among them were; opposing any funding for vernacular schools with some even calling for it to be closed down, boycott non-Muslim products and businesses.
“Barring non-Muslims from becoming Cabinet ministers, dispossess Indians and Chinese the right to vote, show outright contempt for the religious celebrations and practices of non-Muslims; and spread vicious lies against non-Muslims that is justifiable just because they are non-Muslims,” the statement read.
Lim also said that news dailies knew to be leaning towards opposition parties, such as English daily, The Star and Chinese daily, Sin Chew Jit Poh were touting the new Pakatan Nasional as the new federal government which Pakatan Nasional would "extinguish" the existing rights of their own non-Muslim and non-Malay readers.
He added that Pas leaders’ excessive hostility towards the West and modern technology would usher in a “dark age” for Malaysia.
“Like in Kelantan where the only thing modern is luxury Mercedes Benz cars, and leaders getting RM50,000 bonuses is more important than the ability to pay the salaries of their own civil servants,” the statement read.
Lim stressed that all Malaysians must stand up for moderation based on democracy, rule of law, performance and integrity that respects and protects the rakyat, regardless of race, religion, geography and demography.
He said the current government wanted a shared prosperity policy that was not exclusive to only one group.
“Being moderate is neither appeasement nor confrontational. We are stronger together only by working and cooperating with each other to resolve problems as one nation and one people.
“Our primary focus is always on helping parents to protect their families, improve the economy, reduce the cost of living, generate a higher living standard and ensuring a better future for our children that they can live better.
“PH is the only coalition that represents all Malaysians and firmly rejects racists and religious extremists, trying to regain the power they had earlier lost through corruption and economic mismanagement, by targeting non-Malays and non-Muslims,” he said.
On Feb 7, Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang said the party would support the formation of Pakatan Nasional to return the political domination of the Malays and to uphold the sanctity of Islam.
Yesterday, Lim has denied the existence of political cooperation between Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, Umno and Pas through Pakatan Nasional as claimed by various quarters.
He said this was in line with Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s statement, which denied that he invited Umno to form the Pakatan Nasional.
