Dismissing allegations raised by PAS President Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang, DAP’s Secretary-General, Anthony Loke, firmly denies that DAP ever advocated for the abandonment of Islam in their collaborative efforts, spanning from the era of Barisan Alternatif (1999 to 2002) to Pakatan Rakyat (2008 to 2015). In a recently held ceramah in Johor, Hadi had accused DAP of urging PAS to relinquish Islam during their political cooperation.
Loke’s response was swift and unequivocal. He elucidated DAP’s consistent stance throughout their engagements with PAS, highlighting that their collaboration had consistently focused on shared concerns. Loke further emphasized their principle of agreeing to disagree on issues that failed to yield a consensus.
Of particular relevance is DAP’s unwavering objection to the implementation of hudud law, a stance rooted in its incompatibility with the legal framework of the Federal Constitution. Loke remarked, “The main issue that DAP cannot agree on is the implementation of the hudud law.” However, he underscored that this divergence of opinion on hudud should not be misconstrued as an affront to Islam.
To substantiate his point, Loke invoked former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s stance on hudud. He cited an Astro Awani report from April 26, 2014, wherein Dr Mahathir expressed skepticism regarding the implementation of the Kelantan Syariah Criminal Code Enactment II. The former prime minister’s apprehension stemmed from concerns about the alignment of the Hudud law with the religious needs of Muslims.
Loke also raised questions about Hadi’s consistent labeling of DAP as an “enemy of Islam.” He pointed out the incongruity of this label, especially when other non-Muslim parties like MCA, MIC, and Gerakan held similar perspectives on certain issues. Loke questioned the rationale behind PAS’s focus on DAP as the ostensible opponent of Islam, positing whether it was a deliberate falsehood aimed at politicizing their differences.
Hadi’s recent remarks were made during a ceramah associated with the Simpang Jeram by-election. Allegedly, Hadi accused DAP of advocating for the abandonment of Islam within the framework of the party’s pursuits. According to Hadi’s portrayal, DAP held this stance due to its aversion to a nation governed by Islamic laws.
In light of Loke’s counterstatement, it becomes evident that DAP’s engagement with PAS has been underpinned by a commitment to shared objectives and a recognition of differing perspectives, rather than advocating the disregard of Islam. This exchange highlights the intricate interplay of political narratives within Malaysia’s diverse sociopolitical landscape.