PAS to DAP: Stop being a thorn in the govt
(The Star) – All DAP representatives should resign from the Cabinet over the issue of preacher Zakir Naik and the teaching of khat (Jawi calligraphy) in schools, says Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (pic).
The PAS deputy president said that DAP should toe the narrative of the government as stated by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and accept collective responsibility.
“I suggest that all the DAP representatives in the Cabinet resign over its conflicting stand with the government over two issues – the extradition of Zakir Naik and the implementation of khat in Bahasa Melayu subjects for Year 4. DAP is selfish and does not want to accept collective responsibility in the Cabinet, ” said Tuan Ibrahim in a statement on Tuesday (Aug 6).
He pointed out that the Home Ministry has already replied on the extradition of Zakir Naik, who is wanted in India but has remained in Malaysia.
“The same goes for the implementation of khat in schools. Even though the Prime Minister has given his final answer, there is still opposition from DAP.
“The Prime Minister cannot allow this conflict to continue as it will interfere with the administration of the government. I have said before that many of the Government’s plans are being sabotaged by the Pakatan Harapan components themselves as there is no collective responsibility among them.
“I suggest that Cabinet members who do not agree with the decision of the government resign and not be a thorn inside the Cabinet, ” said Tuan Ibrahim.
A number of DAP lawmakers have banded together to support the extradition of Zakir, who is a wanted man in India.
Dr Mahathir had said that Malaysia is in a difficult position as Zakir is not wanted by any other country and Malaysia cannot extradite him.
They have also in recent days been up in arms over the introduction of khat in the Bahasa Melayu subject for Year Four pupils in schools next year.
The Prime Minister said that khat will be taught in schools, despite the opposition.
Meanwhile, PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang pointed out that the late Singapore Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew and former DAP leader Dr Tan Seng Giaw were well versed in the khat script.
He said that while Malays should learn khat to understand their religion better, he also reminded that many of the historical agreements between the government and colonists were written in the Jawi script.
“Even the Chinese pawn shops have Jawi-written boards. The colonists tried to get rid of Jawi during the colonial time as they were against the Muslims. It is obvious those who are against the teaching of khat are the ‘descendants’ and representatives of the colonists, although the Western colonists have returned to their countries, ” said Abdul Hadi.
