Guan Eng: DAP in Selangor gov’t to block PAS policies

(Bernama) – The DAP opted to stay in the Selangor state government in order to block PAS from carrying out “unsuitable” policies, said party leader Lim Guan Eng today.

Lim, who is secretary-general, said Parti Keadilan Rakyat was adamant on working with PAS in the coalition state government. (The DAP has severed political relationships with PAS after the Islamist party went ahead with its agenda to enforce hudud criminal penalties in Kelantan, which the DAP maintained was a violation of the coalition’s common policy.)

He said the DAP remained in the Selangor coalition government, which is headed by PKR deputy president Azmin Ali as menteri besar, so that it could prevent PAS from introducing policies which were not suitable for Selangor residents.

If the DAP withdrew, PAS might introduce policies such as a prohibition on alcohol sales, he said.

“Our stand is clear. It is the right of PKR to work with PAS,” he said. “However, we have to admit that DAP’s position in the Selangor state government is slightly affected,” he told reporters after attending a party event in Johor Jaya.

The DAP has declared an end to the Pakatan Rakyat coalition comprising the three parties after it split with PAS. However, Pakatan Rakyat leader Anwar Ibrahim has maintained that PAS remains a member of the coalition.