Friday, 18.11.2011.
( Spoke at a forum organized by Bar Committee at Regency Hotel, Ipoh. Dato Hj Zainul, President Muslim Layers also spoke at the forum. Part of my speech is a as follows:-)
The coming general election is not about whether Malaysians want an Islamic state or Hudud laws.
Although the Prime Minister Dato Sri Najib is still unsure as to when to dissolve the Parliament to pave way for the next general election, he has ruled out a general election being held this year.
Speculation is rife that the next election will be held in less than 6 months time, with next February being the likely month .
However; given the fact that the 1999 general election was held on November 29, it should not come as a total shock to the nation if Najib decides to change his word about no election in this year.
This will happen if signs show that debt crisis in Europe is going to hit the world and our economy.
For Pakatan Rakyat, we are ready to do battle with the BN in what is going to be the most important election in the nation’s history.
It will be the most important election because for the first time in our electoral history, the Opposition is going into the election with a real possibility of toppling the BN government at the federal level.
In all previous elections, BN was always seen as certain to retain power even before nomination day arrived.
It is no exaggeration to say that the next election will be a battle of “life and death” for BN.
In fact, for the last two months, MCA President Dato Chua Soi Lek has been asking who is Pakatan Rakyat candidate for the Prime Minister’s post.
Even MCA is looking at the possibility of a new federal government helmed by Pakatan Rakyat!
However, the next general election is also going to be the dirtiest in the nation’s history.
Politics of lies, threats and money will certainly be employed by BN.
There is no doubt that the politically desperate MCA will intensify its efforts to manipulate the Islamic State and Hudud law issues.
MCA will spread lie that Pakatan Rakyat will implement Islamic state and Hudud laws upon achieving federal power. MCA will paint the picture that DAP has sold out its principles or DAP is unable to stop Pas’ agenda of wanting to set up Islamic state and Hudud laws.
However, the two basic truths are: -
1. Islamic state and Hudud laws are and will not be the political agenda or policy of Pakatan Rakyat.
2. DAP has been constant and consistent in opposing the implementation of Islamic state and Hudud laws.
Unlike BN which operates with Umno the big brother having all say, Pakatan Rakyat is a
coalition of equal partners , with all having an equal say in decision making.
This is why when former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir had on September 29, 2001 made the unilateral, arbitrary and unconstitutional declaration that Malaysia is an Islamic state, all BN component parties had to fully support it.
What Umno wants or decides, all other component parties will have to follow.
There is no consensus in the Pakatan Rakyat on the implementation of Islamic state and Hudud laws. PR’s agreed policies are in the Orange Book and there is no mention of Islamic state and Hudud laws.
DAP positions were not made yesterday. We have declared our stands many times and many years ago.
Our position is that Malaysia is and must remain a democratic, multi-racial, secular and multi-religious nation with Islam as the official religion.
Our commitment shall never waiver or change.
Likewise, we shall stand firm with our commitment to reject implementation of Hudud laws.
The coming general election is not about whether Malaysians want an Islamic state or Hudud laws.
It is about political change to end the BN rule which has brought so much political darkness to the nation.
Pakatan Rakyat’s mission and agenda in the next general election is therefore to win federal and more state power so as to bring about a better Malaysia for all.
( Spoke at a forum organized by Bar Committee at Regency Hotel, Ipoh. Dato Hj Zainul, President Muslim Layers also spoke at the forum. Part of my speech is a as follows:-)
The coming general election is not about whether Malaysians want an Islamic state or Hudud laws.
Although the Prime Minister Dato Sri Najib is still unsure as to when to dissolve the Parliament to pave way for the next general election, he has ruled out a general election being held this year.
Speculation is rife that the next election will be held in less than 6 months time, with next February being the likely month .
However; given the fact that the 1999 general election was held on November 29, it should not come as a total shock to the nation if Najib decides to change his word about no election in this year.
This will happen if signs show that debt crisis in Europe is going to hit the world and our economy.
For Pakatan Rakyat, we are ready to do battle with the BN in what is going to be the most important election in the nation’s history.
It will be the most important election because for the first time in our electoral history, the Opposition is going into the election with a real possibility of toppling the BN government at the federal level.
In all previous elections, BN was always seen as certain to retain power even before nomination day arrived.
It is no exaggeration to say that the next election will be a battle of “life and death” for BN.
In fact, for the last two months, MCA President Dato Chua Soi Lek has been asking who is Pakatan Rakyat candidate for the Prime Minister’s post.
Even MCA is looking at the possibility of a new federal government helmed by Pakatan Rakyat!
However, the next general election is also going to be the dirtiest in the nation’s history.
Politics of lies, threats and money will certainly be employed by BN.
There is no doubt that the politically desperate MCA will intensify its efforts to manipulate the Islamic State and Hudud law issues.
MCA will spread lie that Pakatan Rakyat will implement Islamic state and Hudud laws upon achieving federal power. MCA will paint the picture that DAP has sold out its principles or DAP is unable to stop Pas’ agenda of wanting to set up Islamic state and Hudud laws.
However, the two basic truths are: -
1. Islamic state and Hudud laws are and will not be the political agenda or policy of Pakatan Rakyat.
2. DAP has been constant and consistent in opposing the implementation of Islamic state and Hudud laws.
Unlike BN which operates with Umno the big brother having all say, Pakatan Rakyat is a
coalition of equal partners , with all having an equal say in decision making.
This is why when former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir had on September 29, 2001 made the unilateral, arbitrary and unconstitutional declaration that Malaysia is an Islamic state, all BN component parties had to fully support it.
What Umno wants or decides, all other component parties will have to follow.
There is no consensus in the Pakatan Rakyat on the implementation of Islamic state and Hudud laws. PR’s agreed policies are in the Orange Book and there is no mention of Islamic state and Hudud laws.
DAP positions were not made yesterday. We have declared our stands many times and many years ago.
Our position is that Malaysia is and must remain a democratic, multi-racial, secular and multi-religious nation with Islam as the official religion.
Our commitment shall never waiver or change.
Likewise, we shall stand firm with our commitment to reject implementation of Hudud laws.
The coming general election is not about whether Malaysians want an Islamic state or Hudud laws.
It is about political change to end the BN rule which has brought so much political darkness to the nation.
Pakatan Rakyat’s mission and agenda in the next general election is therefore to win federal and more state power so as to bring about a better Malaysia for all.
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