Penang DAP today launched an anti Anti-Valentine's Day campaign to send out the message that the celebration does not necessarily lead to negative or 'immoral' behaviour.

Komtar assemblyperson Ng Wei Aik said what is today a global event should not be criminalised by the authorities.

Ng said this as he and several DAP Socialist Youth (Dapsy) members handed out about 100 carnations to members of the public at the Anson Road market.

NONE "Valentine's Day is celebrated to show love and concern for another human being," he said.

"It is also celebrated by those who are married, so for the authorities to crack down on the event or label it as against Muslim teachings is something uncalled for," he added.

PAS Youth chief Nasrudin Hassan Tantawi caused a ruckus recently when AFP quoted him as planning to "help state authorities curb immoral activities" on the day.

The French news agency reported him as saying that the state governments in Kedah, Penang, Kelantan and Selangor had directed local authorities to carry out "immorality checks" today.

Nasrudin clarified later that he had been misquoted, but by then several quarters, including his own party members, allies and civil society organisations, criticised him for his remarks.

Ng, who is also political secretary to Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, said the federal Muslim Affairs Department (Jakim) had over-reacted by organising a forum and distributing leaflets and stickers as well about Valentine's Day.

Jakim director-general Wan Mohamad Sheikh Abd Aziz had recently called on Muslims to stay away from Valentine's Day celebrations and to avoid "indecent behaviour".

Ng said Dapsy could not accept the action of anyone who planned to act against those they considered "immoral".

'A universal activity that's now commercialised'

"The authorities may act against those who violate religious teachings or do something illegal, but these things do not necessarily happen on Valentine's Day," he added.

penang lodge mcmc report against blogger 210910 ng wei aik The event is a universal activity and people are familiar with it, even if it is very commercialised now.

He hopes this controversy will get the people to rethink and understand the history of Valentine's Day and refrain from viewing each and every issue from a religious perspective.

Ng ( right ) also expressed disagreement with any 'operation' to monitor dating at "hotspots".

Dapsy's campaign today, he said, was not intended to create any conflict with the enforcement authorities or those having a different view on the matter.

Asked whether the anti-Anti Valentine's Day campaign was a Pakatan Rakyat activity, Ng said his group was merely representing DAP.

On PAS Youth's stand on the event, Ng said it had the right to promote its view.

DAP's ally, PKR .blamed BN for the controversy, with Deputy Chief Minister I Mansor Othman saying the controversy was a desperate of the ruling coalition to use any issue against Pakatan.

"Valentine's Day has been blown out of proportion. PAS can comment (on the issue) but why has BN to pick it up and blow it up?" Mansor asked.

"It is high time the politics of race and religion is stopped."

Nevertheless, a harsh critic of the Pakatan government in the state,Gerakan, celebrated Valentine's Day with members of the press at its press conference today by dishing out chocolates.

Penang Gerakan publicity and communications secretary Dr Thor Teong Ghee accused DAP of remaining silent on the PAS position on Valentine's Day.

He lashed out at PAS, saying it was "immature" by linking the day to sexual urges for its own political agenda.

"This is something related to love and concern," Thor added.