DAP and PAS set aside their differences on the Islamic state issue to raise funds for suspended member of parliament Fong Po Kuan in the Muslim-based partys stronghold of Kota Bharu yesterday.

In an attempt to justify the 40-table dinner held at the Chinese Chamber of Commerce last night, DAP chief Lim Kit Siang said the two opposition parties would continue to work together to champion common issues such as justice, good governance and democracy.

He, however, did not raise DAPs opposition to the Muslim-based partys intention to set up an Islamic state.

Condemning Parliament as a kangaroo court, Lim said the governments arrogance has reached to the extent of punishing a MP without due and fair process.

Fong, who turned 28 last September, is the countrys youngest parliamentarian and DAPs representative for Batu Gajah in Perak.

On Dec 11, Parliament suspended her for six months without wages for bringing down the dignity of the House.

She had earlier pressed for the House to debate the scandal involving the Certificate in Legal Practice examinations. When speaker Mohamad Zahir Ismail denied her the opportunity to do so, she took her case to the press.

In her press statement, Fong criticised the speaker for abusing his powers and preventing MPs from carrying out their duties for the people.

The prompted members of the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition, which has two-thirds majority in Parliament, to vote for her suspension.

Prime-time propaganda

Lim, who was accompanied by several Pahang DAP members at the dinner, also utilised the much needed platform  as ceramah (political gatherings) are now banned  to reassert fears of the Sept 11 terrorist attacks and their implications on opposition parties.

We have become victims of the governments propaganda against terrorism since Sept 11. The daily prime-time news on TV has become daily prime-time propaganda against the opposition, Lim told the 400-strong crowd.

He criticised Umno vice-president Muhammad Muhammad Taib for saying yesterday that Barisan Nasionals stunning victory in the Jan 19 Indera Kayangan by-election would be repeated in the coming general elections.

They (Umno) claim they have regained their strength and there is a trend that Umno will win back support due to internal and external factors. Those who love justice and democracy, please take note. We have to break this trend in order to save democracy, Lim said.

He urged opposition parties to come together to discuss ways to counter the governments attack and slander.

Iron Lady

Meanwhile PAS leaders, who helped organise the dinner, took the opportunity to ward off accusations that the party was militant and anti-women.

Kelantan Menteri Besar Nik Aziz Nik Mat, who spoke at the dinner, said although DAP was no longer member of the opposition Barisan Alternatif coalition, Islam encourages its believers to help those in need, regardless of race or religion.

We must give those in need of material and moral support. We are not violent as portrayed by Barisan Nasional. We are also celebrating this occasion for women. How can you say that PAS does not respect women? queried the partys spiritual leader.

If PAS does not respect women or that we cannot agree with those who are not in line with our thinking, I would not be present here, he told the multi-racial crowd.

Nik Aziz complimented Fong for her courage, adding that she was an Iron Lady.

He reiterated that Islam held women in high regards as it was mandatory in the religion for husbands to protect and provide for their wives, even though their wives were earning wages.

No other religions makes it compulsory for husbands to protect and provide for their wives, he said.

Agent of division

PAS MP for Peringat, Mustapha Mohamad  who defeated BNs Annuar Musa in the last general elections  said he sympathised with Fong as he was in Parliament when the House voted to punish her.

Mustapha said, the opposition MPs, though small in numbers, supported Fongs resolution to debate the CLP scandal and rejected BNs resolution to suspend her.

He called for parliamentary reforms but conceded that such reforms could only come about with a change in government.

The government has used the media to frighten the people, saying that the rakyat (citizens) should only choose BN. It is as if this country cannot be ruled by anyone else, he said.

In Parliament, BN accused BA of trying to split the rakyat . But it is obvious that the biggest agent of this split is BN, he added.

He urged all opposition parties to unite to fight against the BNs cruel regime despite having differences in opinion and ideology.

Oasis in desert

Meanwhile, Anuar Tan Abdullah, who is PAS central executive member and a Chinese Muslim, thanked the police for approving the permit for the dinner, saying that the action was an oasis in an endless desert.

We hope this can be extended to the entire country to promote freedom of speech, he said.

He also criticised BNs strategy of using the media to portray PAS as subversive and aggressive, saying that the propaganda was all slander and lies.

Give PAS the space and chance to explain that we are not subversive and aggressive, and that we are a party with principles, he urged.

Fong, who also spoke at the dinner, explained her reasons for not apologising in Parliament to avert punishment.

I have done nothing wrong. I am only doing my duty, she said.