Baru explains: We will not rush into cutting ties with Pas

By Simon Peter

KUCHING, March 31, 2015 - Sarawak Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) chief Baru Bian said the party will not rush into cutting ties with Sarawak Pas over the implementation of hudud law in Kelantan.

"We will not rush into cutting ties with Pas. I have to consult the state leaders as well as the national leaders," he said explaining the reason for the delay in deciding Sarawak PKR's relationship with Sarawak Pas.

Baru Bian

He said the decision - either to maintain ties with Sarawak Pas or otherwise - involves party policy.

Baru, who is also the Ba'Kelalan State Assemblyman, described Chong's call to Sarawak PKR as an ultimatum.

He said Chong should not have issued the ultimatum since the Sarawak DAP had never consulted Sarawak PKR when they cut ties with Sarawak Pas last week.

On Sabah PKR cutting ties with Pas, Baru said it was their decision and had nothing to do with Sarawak PKR.

Yesterday, Sabah PKR and DAP leaders announced their decision in a joint statement to sever ties with Sabah Pas.

"We have taken into consideration all views, factors as well as the current political situation and made a difficult decision to cut ties and cooperation with Pas.

 

Chong Chieng Jen

"However, we remain committed to the struggle within Pakatan between PKR and DAP," read the statement issued by Sabah PKR chief Lajim Ukin  and Sabah DAP chief Jimmy Wong.

On the same note, the statement clarified that Muslim leaders in PKR do not reject hudud as it is contained in the Al-Quran, but reject its implementation in Malaysia.

"We had hoped that PAS would not continue with its aim to implement hudud but it is clear that they are serious.

"Thus, it has become complicated to continue political cooperation with them under such circumstances.

"So with a heavy heart, we have decided to sever political cooperation with PAS," the joint statement added.

Earlier today, Chong called on Sarawak PKR Sarawak to severe its ties with Sarawak Pas so that both parties can work together for the betterment of Sarawak.

"The Kelantan hudud law episode and the subsequent events that unfold have clearly shown that the political ideals and agenda of Pas does not fit into our Sarawak society.

"In fact, few months before we DAP Sarawak decided to quit from Sarawak PR, I have requested  Sarawak Pas to make a resolution and statement that hudud law is not suitable for Sarawak and that Sarawak Pas will not pursue the implementation of hudud law in Sarawak.

"Sad to say, my request was turned down, indicating clearly that the implementation of hudud law is also the political agenda of Sarawak Pas," Chong, who is also Kota Sentosa state assemblyman,said.

"We all know that the implementation of hudud law will do no good to the State of Sarawak.  

"Therefore, there is no reason for us in Sarawak to continue cooperating with PAS who has made clear about their hudud agenda.

The issue may be more complicated in Malaya where Pas, especially the progressive faction of Pas,  has an important role to play to counter the dominance of UMNO in the rural areas. 

"This is not the case in Sarawak where there is no UMNO.

"Knowing the true agenda of Pas, is PKR going to help Pas win seats in the coming State elections so that Sarawak State Assembly  will have some PAS elected representatives? 

"If the answer is “YES”, then PKR will be doing a disservice to Sarawak by contributing to the growth of Pas in Sarawak thereby helping indirectly the hudud agenda in Sarawak.

" If the answer is “NO”, then there is no point to put up a pretence of coalition when one does not help each other.

"Therefore, I urge Baru not to be so adamant about clinging on to Sarawak PR which, in essence, was broken the minute Pas shown its true colour and pursued the hudud agenda.

"I believe, more can be achieved for the betterment of Sarawak with Sarawak PKR cooperating with DAP Sarawak rather than cooperating with Sarawak  Pas," Chong said.