DAP should not be subservient to PAS just to appease their partnership in Pakatan Rakyat

I refer to the call by DAP Chairman YB Karpal Singh for Kelantan government to lift the ban on gambling in the state. The call was made after recent move by the PAS-led state government to ban the sale of lottery tickets in the state.

YB Karpal Singh said that gambling for non-Muslims was an individual’s prerogative and it is also not prohibited under federal law.

However, notwithstanding DAP’s call for the ban to be lifted, it was reported that the PAS-led state government had continued raiding premises that sells lottery tickets and will continue to do so in the future.

Prior to YB Karpal Singh statement, PAS Youth Chief Nasruddin Hassan Tantawi had also called for a total ban of gambling in Pakatan Rakyat led states and other parts in the country.

[ Source: The Star 6th March, 2011 ]

Though I fully agree with the DAP Chairman on this matter, I find it disturbing that PAS continue to impose PAS Islamic principles on non-Muslim in spite the protest from DAP. It only makes one wonder what are the actual policies and principles of Pakatan Rakyat.

Worse still, PAS Youth had gone further to suggest expansion of the ban in other Pakatan Rakyat states.

Instead of making mere rhetoric protest, DAP must ensure that the ban on gambling is “actually lifted” in Kelantan if they are sincere in their protest against it.DAP must also ensure that no other PAS Islamic policies are imposed upon non-Muslim in other Pakatan Rakyat states.

It is pertinent that DAP should not be subservient to PAS just to appease their partnership in Pakatan Rakyat. This is especially on matter relating to the interest of all Malaysians in Pakatan Rakyat states where the Menteri Besars are held by PAS.

If DAP chooses to remain in silent, it would produce more precedent for PAS and Pakatan Rakyat to continue to impose PAS Islamic principles on non-Muslim, even when it’s against their wishes.

Thus, I hope DAP would be sincere this time when protesting against PAS.