Outgoing DAP Youth Chief Anthony Loke today warned that recent incidences where non-Muslims in Kelantan were fined for offences governed under Islamic law, could affect PAS' moderate reputation.

This, he said, had to some extent affected non-Muslim confidence towards Pakatan Rakyat.

"The PAS top leadership, especially in Kelantan must immediately solve this problem to restore non-Muslim confidence towards its image as a moderate party and not one that oppresses non-Muslims," he said in his policy speech at the opening of the DAP Socialist Youth (Dapsy) Congress in Kuala Lumpur today.

Loke was referring to the recent incident in Kelantan where two non-Muslim male friends were fined for "indecent behaviour" while watching planes land from their parked vehicle at night and another non-Muslim couple who were at the park in broad daylight.

He also noted that hair salons in Kelantan were fined for not enforcing gender segregation rules.

Proposals made

Loke said that DAP had already made some constructive proposals for PAS to resolve this matter and urged the party do to act promptly.

"We understand that some Muslim women are not comfortable removing their headscarf in public so we suggested a special section for them in hair salons," he said.

He said that a quick resolution was necessary so as not to provide ammo for political opponents to distract from main national issues.

Loke added that DAP is steadfast on its stance that hudud law was unsuitable in a multiracial society, but unlike MCA, does not insult Islam and reiterates the party's commitment PKR and PAS in the next general election.

"DAP must remain together with PKR and PAS because Pakatan Rakyat's unity is Umno and BN's worst nightmare.

"If we break up, then it would be the sweetest dream as it will be akin to giving BN a walkover in the 13th General Election," he said.

Young blood

Loke, who relinquished his position as DAP Youth chief today, also commended Dapsy members for being civil through the course of the wing's election. Results will be announced later today.

"Dapsy leaders must not only be young at heart, but also physically young. Based on this reality, I am relinquishing my position (today) at the age of 35 and I propose that Dapsy's maximum age limit be reduced from 40 to 35.

"We want to keep Dapsy as a wing that truly understands the aspirations of young people in Malaysia," he said.

The age resolution, if passed, will make Dapsy into a political youth wing with the youngest age limit in the country.

"No other party in BN is willing to make such a change because their youth chiefs want to lead until they are 60 years old," he jibed.

"We should do this to develop young talents so that Dapsy become the choice for young people of this country," he said.

A total of 356 of 676 Dapsy delegates were present at the congress.