Following the latest public rally organised by Hindraf and the consequences that followed, PAS feels that it is necessary for all quarters to look into the matter in an objective manner.

The recent demonstration was the concern of all political parties and the public in general. PAS begs to differ on some aspects and tends to agree on some others in relation to the issues raised by Hindraf. PAS also does not rule out the exploitation of the Hindraf issue to smother the Bersih mammoth gathering and thus divert the attention of the public from a much bigger problem. We hereby call on all parties to observe the following points:

1) Peaceful public gatherings in whatever form is enshrined in the Federal Constitution and must be protected for those who wish to practice this right. Although the Police Act is always used to ensure such gatherings must be ‘legal’ (with police permission), yet, please bear in mind that any police action must not be seen as preventing peaceful citizens from attending peaceful gatherings because this would be unconstitutional.

2) The organiser for any public rally must be fully responsible in ensuring that the gathering does not turn violent and therefore must have the capacity to control the crowd in a manner that should be seen as peaceful and justified. Any act of abandoning such responsibility by the organiser is considered as releasing ‘hell’ from its grip and may lead to consequent police intervention with dire results.

3) As to parties which always exploit racial issues to survive in the already communal nature of politics in this country, PAS would like to remind them to stop turning this issue into a racial one because by doing so they are jeopardising the very foundation of national unity. Only by putting democracy in place, can we be objective in responding to any grievances raised by our fellow citizens.

4) As to the Hindraf’s demand that the government listen to it and advice it on matters acceptable or otherwise, PAS feel that the government must listen to all parties that have grievances. Total denial and arrogance is unhelpful and will be construed as government intransigence to listen to the people and may pave the way for more pressure on the government from the concerned parties.

This form of arrogance which has been construed may cause disaffected parties to embark on other means to make their demands heard. The rise of peoples’ dissatisfaction as a result of a constant refusal to listen would burst into the form of public gatherings, rallies and provocative speeches. In this respect the Indian community is just expressing its frustration to the BN-led government over its failure to address the Indian problem in Malaysia.

PAS is of the opinion that Hindraf is aware that whatever its demands, these must be within the framework of the Federal Constitution ensuring that sensitive issues raised in their demands must not hurt other people’s feelings and that they very well understand that Islam is the pillar and spiritual force in our Federal Constitution. Any such demand that contradicts the spirit of the Constitution must be deemed ultra vires and should be rejected.

PAS would like to stress that the right to belief and practice one’s belief which includes places of worship must be upheld. Issues of technicality as to the question of premises for worship and to build them are purely in the hands of the local government and must be seen in the light of their legality.

Finally, it is pertinent for the public to ensure national security and national interest above all other matters. To achieve this, we must secure national unity beyond the interests of narrow racial politics. We call upon all parties to raise themselves to the highest level of politics by democratising all systems and preserving our history and traditions whilst upholding the basic principles of our Federal Constitution.

The writer is chairman of national unity for PAS.