DAP ‘chauvinist’ for wanting third vote, Hadi says after PAS officially cuts ties

(Malay Mail Online) – PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang has called the DAP “chauvinist” for trying to restore local council elections and said his Islamist party had ended its alliance with the secular party to reject chauvinism.

Local daily New Straits Times quoted Hadi as saying at a press conference in Johor yesterday, after PAS officially ended its alliance with the DAP, that Islam is at the “core” of the country’s leadership and is the religion of the federation, and that the Malays are the majority in the country that practises a constitutional monarchy.

“But DAP does not seem to care for these things,” Hadi was quoted saying.

“We (PAS) cannot allow this as they (DAP) had gone overboard,” he added, reportedly citing the DAP’s attempt to revive the third vote and the secular party’s purported focus on targeting only urban Chinese voters in Sarawak as proof of the DAP’s “chauvinistic” tendencies.

Hadi also reportedly acknowledged that the split between the DAP and PAS could affect the opposition’s preparations for the next general election, but said PAS was ready to work with non-Muslim groups.

“We also realise not all non-Muslims support the DAP. That’s why DAP has had its ups and downs in general elections since its formation,” said the conservative PAS leader.

“PAS does not need to work only with DAP, but with anyone who wants to bring change to the country,” Hadi added.

The PAS syura council formally endorsed Saturday the party’s muktamar decision to cut ties with the DAP, marking the end to their acrimonious relationship after the DAP said it could no longer work with PAS over the Islamist party’s renewed attempt to enforce hudud in Kelantan.

Hadi said last January, during the conflict between the DAP and PAS, that local council elections could worsen racial inequality in Chinese-dominated urban areas and lead to discontent that may fuel a repeat of the May 13 race riots.