Hudud implementation is not part of Pakatan Rakyat’s common policy platform or general election manifesto

Speech by M Kula Segaran, DAP National Vice Chairman and MP for Ipoh Barat on Saturday, April 26, 2014 at DAP Dinner held in Kuala Kangsar, Perak

Hudud implementation is not part of Pakatan Rakyat’s common policy platform or general election manifesto

The sudden passing of former DAP National Chairman Karpal Singh on April 17 in an accident saddened and shocked the entire nation.

The massive outpouring of grief at his wake and funeral showed that he was so respected and loved by the people.  He was indeed a people’s hero.

Although Karpal has left us, he will be forever remembered.

Karpal devoted his life for the cause of human rights, justice, and democracy.  The best tribute that we can pay to him is to continue his struggle for the causes he has fought.

We must all not forget the famous words uttered by Karpal after his sedition conviction-“You knock out one Karpal, a hundred Karpal Singhs will rise.”

What he said must serve as a reminder to us that the battle to fight for justice, fairness and democracy must continue.

With local DAP leaders

Karpal believed strongly in holding on to principles. To him, the correct principles must remain permanent.

On this score, I wish to reiterate that DAP will never waiver from our principle that Malaysia is a secular and democratic nation and must remain so.

Since PAS announced its intention to table a private member’s bill on hudud in Parliament, BN component parties like MCA and Gerakan have been attacking the DAP ,even questioning if DAP is indeed a party of principles.

MCA and Gerakan have proven over time that they are parties which will bow to anything UMNO wants, yet they have the gall to question if DAP has principles.

MCA and Gerakan dared not object when the former Prime Minister Tun Mahathir declared in 2001 that Malaysia is an Islamic state.

DAP vehemently objected to his declaration and we made it clear that we will never accept the establishment of an Islamic state in Malaysia, whether ala PAS or Umno.

MCA and Gerakan may think people are forgetful, but the people are not and they will forever remember that MCA and Gerakan gave their full support to Mahathir’s declaration.

There is no doubt that PAS is an important ally in the Pakatan Rakyat coalition and PAS is definitely needed to help in PR’s mission to capture Putrajaya in the coming general election.

But let me reiterate tonight that hudud implementation is not part of Pakatan Rakyat’s common policy platform or general election manifesto.

Hence, DAP will not support the hudud implementation.