PAS allays fears, declares it stands with non-Muslims

(FMT) – PAS stands with non-Muslims and will not declare war on them, party vice-president Iskandar Samad said today.

In rebutting remarks made by DAP’s Nga Kor Ming that a union between Umno and PAS could turn Malaysia into a “Taliban” state, Iskandar said the presence of the non-Muslim PAS Supporters Congress (DHPP) was an indication of this.

Speaking at a national unity seminar organised by DHPP, Iskandar said such statements likely arose from the fear as a result of the formal cooperation pact between Umno and PAS.

“In PAS, we have the DHPP, which is made up of non-Muslims. We do not force them to convert and they have been alongside PAS in its struggle all this while.

“PAS is not only for Muslims, but for all.

“With these DHPP supporters, at least we can prove to the people that PAS cares and is supported by all,” he said.

He added that it was impossible to declare war on non-Muslims and the allegations were not true.

“How can PAS declare war on non-Muslims? We are together with non-Muslims.

“These allegations are untrue.”

Commenting further, he expressed agreement with MIC president SA Vigneswaran’s reported statement on alleged double standards of parties cooperating with PAS.

“Why is it that only DAP can cooperate with PAS?” asked Iskandar in reference to his party’s previous alliance with DAP under the former Pakatan Rakyat opposition pact.

Nga was reported earlier this week as claiming that the Umno-PAS cooperation would give rise to a Taliban-like government in Malaysia.

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng triggered an outcry by initially likening the move to a “declaration of war” on non-Muslims. His statement was later amended to say that the union of the two Malay parties could target non-Malays.