Sarawak DAP quits opposition coalition, blaming Pas for the decision

KUCHING, March27, 2015 - Sarawak DAP said it has made a painful decision to quit the State Pakatan Rakyat (PR), squarely blaming Pas for implementing the hudud law in Kelantan.

"We can no longer work with Pas as a political party in Sarawak," Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen said to reporters after chairing the Sarawak DAP state committee meeting here.

Chong Chieng Jen

He said as long as the implementation of hudud law remains Pas' political agenda and aim, Sarawak DAP can no longer work with Pas as political party in Sarawak.

"With Pas remaining as a component party of Sarawak PR, we have resolved and made the painful decision to quit from PR Sarawak,"  the Kota Sentosa state assemblyman said.

He said the state committee was unanimous in deciding to leave the three-member state coalition, reflecting the wishes of the large majority of the people of Sarawak.

Chong, who is also Bandar Kuching Member of Parliament, said Sarawak  DAP will continue to talk of the State PKR on seats to be contested in the state elections which could be held earlier than June next year.

He said the Sarawak DAP also called on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak not to delay in making his and UMNO’s stand on the implementation of hudud law in Malaysia or any state in Malaysia, given that 12 UMNO Kelantan State Assemblymen have openly supported the passing of hudud law in Kelantan State Assembly.

"While Najib remains indecisive and silent on his and UMNO’s stand on this issue, we call upon all political parties which support secularism in Malaysia and the fundamental principles of the Federal Constitution to explore the possibility of a coalition government to replace the existing Barisan Nasional which is dictated by UMNO," he said.

"The passing of the hudud law in Kelantan and the attempted tabling of a Private Member’s Bill in Parliament by PAS President for the implementation of hudud law are not only violation of the Malaysia Agreement and the Federal Constitution, but will ultimately undermine the existence of Malaysia as a country. 

"In 1963, Sarawak joined to form Malaysia on the fundamental understanding that Malaysia was and will continue to be a secular country.  Till this day, Sarawak has no official religion.

"The political game played between UMNO and PAS in the Kelantan hudud law episode has shown clearly that Sarawak is no place for the politics of both UMNO and PAS. 

"Such irresponsible political maneuvering by PAS and UMNO will not only lead to the break-up of PR but may also break up Barisan Nasional (BN).  It is a blatant disregard of the Treatise in the formation of Malaysia in 1963 and thus may ultimately lead to the break-up of Malaysia as a nation. 

"If both PAS and UMNO were to persist in pursuing the implementation of hudud law in Malaysia or any State in Malaysia, this will add fuel to the secession sentiment in Sarawak for the simple reason that in 1963, Sarawak did not join to form a nation which implement hudud law," Chong said.