DPM calls on PAS to give up Islamic state

Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has as PAS if it was willing to forego its party constitution on the setting up of an Islamic state, if it agreed to formally join the registered coalition of Pakatan Rakyat.

Muhyiddin, who is also Umno deputy president said DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang and PAS spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, had formally agreed to register with the Registrar of Societies that its coalition of three parties be formally known as Pakatan Rakyat.

"I do not understand how the opposition coalition works. We have the DAP which professes to support the formation of a secular state in Malaysia. On the other hand, we have PAS which has in its party constitution of wanting the formation of an Islamic state."

"How can the Pakatan Rakyat coalition work due to the difference in their guiding policy? As long as PAS does not want to amend its PAS constitution how is the Pakatan coalition going to work? I challenge PAS leaders if they want to be part of Pakatan: are they willing to amend their party constitution to drop the Islamic state struggle?"

Also present at the Youth talks last night were Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin and Umno, BN candidate for Bagan Pinang, Isa Samad and Malacca chief minister Mohd Ali Rustam. This is the final push of BN and Umno's campaign to defend this seat as polling starts tomorrow.

Addressing a crowd of about 500 Umno youth workers, Muhyiddin said he wondered how Pakatan Rakyat would form a viable coalition to challenge BN.

Muhyiddin said PKR and DAP have differing policies than PAS how can they work together.

"They may sleep using the same pillow but PAS, DAP and PKR "are dreaming" differently when they are together," he said.

"Will the Pakatan Rakyat be as strong as BN or is it a trick by the opposition party to hoodwink the people to wrest the administration or government in Malaysia?," said the Deputy Prime Minister.

This is a serious matter, Muhyiddin said, of whether the people are willing to take a risk and vote for Pakatan in this by-election and the 13th general elections.

Opposition are desperate

He noted that the past few days the opposition is making many claims and accusations about Umno and BN.

Describing the efforts by the opposition to challenge the Election Commission decision from continuing polls on Sunday as a desperate attempt, Muhyiddin said PAS and the opposition knew they are faced with an uphill task in wresting this seat.

"The opposition seemed to be truly desperate as they know they are at the losing end in coming up with many accusations to stop the polls."

He reminded party workers to be steadfast in the next two days to work hard to retain this seat in Bagan Pinang.

From his rounds, Muhyiddin said he was satisfied with the Bagan Pinang constituents' feedback who seemingly expressed their undivided support for BN, and express hopes of defending the seat handsomely come Sunday.

Khairy: People doubt Pakatan's ability

Khairy (left) also agreed with Muhyiddin's reservations about Pakatan functioning as a viable coalition.

This is based on the recent independent Merdeka survey where 50 per cent of the public expressed doubts over Pakatan's ability to run the Federal Government should it come to power.

"Only 30 per cent are confident that Pakatan are able to run the country. This showed the people still have confidence in BN in running the country as we have administered it for more than 52 years and bringing progress to all races."

"If Pakatan runs, are they going to rotate the Prime Minister's post every year with opposition leader Anwar, Kit Siang and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang taking turns?" asked the Umno Youth chief.

He also called Anwar a political chameleon - putting on a good guise in the country but attacking Malaysia when overseas.

Such attributes, Khairy said, does not make Anwar a good leader for the country.