DAP chairperson Karpal Singh today applauded the election of Mohamad Sabu as the PAS deputy president.

NONE In a statement today, Karpal ( right ) said Mohamad's election served as a "new impetus" for Pakatan Rakyat, describing him as an "invaluable asset" to the coalition.

"Mohamad is, perhaps, one of the rare PAS personalities in his party who is acceptable to all communities in the country.

"He is humble, well-liked, charismatic, a popular orator and one who is an invaluable asset to Pakatan," said Karpal, adding that his elevation would change the Malaysian political topography.

Behind this long list of accolades, Karpal revealed that he and Mohamad have had a long history together, forging their camaraderie during their days under Internal Security Act detention back in 1987.

"His spirit was unshakable then. Even now, he has taken up issues without fear from any quarter," said Karpal, who referred to Mohamad as his "companion" in Kamunting.

Dr M pours scorn

However, former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who has crossed swords numerous times with Karpal and Mohamad in the past, used the PAS election results to mock them both.

mahathir mohamad hari raya open house 2 In a blog post today, Mahathir ( left ) said that it was Karpal who was the biggest winner from the PAS internal polls since the so-called professional faction swept most of the top post.

"The biggest winner is a leader who didn't attend (the annual general assembly) and is not even a PAS member. He is Karpal.

"His struggle for PAS to relinquish its goals to form an Islamic state which will implement hudud law has been achieved.

"Karpal need not die in order for PAS to cross over his body," wrote Mahathir, referring to Karpal's infamous quote on PAS' goal of establishing a theocratic state.

"He hasn't died, yet PAS already decided to no longer have its struggle for an Islamic state and hudud law as a priority. Now, PAS' has made a welfare state its struggle."

Karpal all for welfare state

Meanwhile, Karpal also congratulated PAS president Abdul Hadi Abdul Awang for stating that the party would be pursuing the establishment of a welfare state.

"In my view, it would be best for PAS to implement the setting of a welfare state as ordained in the Quran and which is the dream of not only politicians in the opposition, but the Rakyat.

"Realisation of a welfare state by Pakatan would be the bed-rock to gain the support of the electorate in the coming elections," he said.

Mahathir joins the ranks of many Umno personalities and Utusan Malaysia in claiming that its traditional enemy PAS has lost its sense of direction and were now pandering to the likes of the secularists in DAP.

During the weekend polls, Mohamad narrowly beat Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man and incumbent Nasharuddin Mat Isa, who is often accused of favouring a unity government with Umno.