DAP is principled but has extremist tendencies - Razman

Perak PAS chief Razman Zakaria has acknowledged that DAP is a party of principles but argued that it harboured extremist tendencies.

In an exclusive interview with Malaysiakini, Razman briefly remarked on DAP’s determination to achieve its goals.

“DAP has principles; they stay on course, follow the goals they have set, and keep moving forward,” he explained in short.

Razman said when PAS and DAP were partners in the past under the Pakatan Rakyat pact, the latter’s determination was still tempered by a willingness to discuss sensitive matters, even if it meant concluding with an “agree to disagree” approach.

This included discussions on local council elections and PAS’ pursuit to amend the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act.

Now, however, Razman characterised DAP as uncompromising and unwilling to accommodate differing viewpoints.

“They (DAP) want what they want, and they want us (PAS) to follow them. But they don’t allow what we wanted to be done. That’s their policy,” he pointed it out.

The Gunong Semanggol assemblyperson then cited DAP leaders’ reaction towards the recent controversial China flag waving in Teluk Intan as an example.

“They wanted to lodge the report (against us) because (we allegedly) provoked the peace when they should instead report the (China) flag waving instead because that’s what disrupted the peace.

“It seems like what we do is not allowed, but theirs is okay,” he elaborated. 

PAS has principles, not racist

On the flip side, Razman opined that PAS - the only other principled party, in his view - does not adhere to extremist views like DAP.

He claimed his party had been painted as extreme without a fair opportunity to explain their intentions.

“We are not a racist party. Just look at our president’s (Abdul Hadi Awang) policy speech titled ‘Islam is the Solution’. The solution created by Allah is a comprehensive one.

“There’s been no space for us to explain what we aim to do, and we’ve been labelled from the start. Look at the recent state by-election we won - immediately, there were claims about the danger of a ‘Green Wave’ and fears of turning into a Taliban-like state.

“They are the ones making these claims, but are they even aware of the peace that Islam brings?” he questioned.

He further highlighted the party’s inclusivity by noting that, during its 70th muktamar in September, it offered membership to its non-Muslim supporters’ wing, granting them voting rights in the party’s election.

Razman explained that PAS’ lack of opportunity to clarify its vision has also led to widespread misunderstandings about the party.

“When we want to implement syariah law, many people misunderstand it.

“(In the law), we want people to take care of their mental health, which includes not drinking excessively or harming themselves. We asked them, ‘Would you like it if your husband were drunk?’ They said, ‘No.’ That’s what we aim to preserve.

“But people only focus on the punishments instead of understanding the blessings (rahmat) behind implementing the law,” he added.

‘Umno has no principles’

When commenting on Umno, Razman said PAS’ former partner in Muafakat Nasional no longer has principles.

“Umno used to be the champion of Malays. Malays could stand with Umno because it was the umbrella that brought independence and was highly sensitive to Malay issues - people cherished Umno.

“We lived through hard times, seeing how Umno supported us. Back then, we ate tapioca and struggled to afford schooling, yet Umno built schools, and everyone could enter university. Now, it has no principles,” he said.

He cited the party’s abandonment of its “no DAP, no Anwar” motto in joining the Madani government as an example of Umno losing its moral compass.

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