Khalid tells PAS to punish those subverting Pakatan

PETALING JAYA, Feb 23 — Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad has asked PAS to punish those subverting the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) coalition, saying his party was being judged for suspending him for six months while letting off Datuk Hasan Ali with a mere warning.

The PAS disciplinary board meted out the punishment on Jan 29 against Hasan for complaining publicly about the Selangor government watchdog Selcat and Khalid for allegedly spilling party secrets when clashing with the state party chief.

“It’s not only me that’s being judged but the party because people are watching how we handle ourselves,” Khalid told The Malaysian Insider last night.

The Shah Alam PAS chief, who returned last Friday after three weeks abroad, said the party had failed to ensure justice was done.

Khalid noted that he has yet to be informed of the party secrets allegedly disclosed in his blog when he accused Hasan of undermining the state government.

“I was just expressing my opinions since when are those party secrets?” he asked.

The first-term lawmaker pointed out the letter sent to him by the disciplinary board merely stated he was found guilty, but gave no indications of what he had really done wrong.

“If I were accused for murder, as least I would be told who I killed as well as how and when I did it,” he added,

Khalid reiterated he would not appeal against his sentence because it was a small price to pay and he achieved his purpose which was to get Hasan to toe the line.

However, he would appeal to the PAS leadership to prove their sincerity and commitment to PR which was being questioned.

He pointed out Islam called on believers to keep their word once an agreement had been reached.

“They can start by taking sterner action against those who are trying to subvert the coalition,” Khalid said, in reference to party factions which had succumbed to on-off flirtations with Umno.

He pointed out party spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat himself had, in 2008 called on PAS to have both feet in the same sampan (boat) and not a foot in two different sampans.

He called on PAS leaders to realise their aspirations to become a mainstream party which fights for justice as this will be scrutinised by the electorate.

“We must be able to prove that we ourselves can uphold justice,” Khalid said.

He noted that previously PAS could tell it members not to question their leaders but that was no longer true as they are now seeking support from a bigger audience whose trust must be gained.

“Otherwise people will doubt the party will be able to uphold justice and lose confidence in us,” the PAS leader said.

Malaysian Insider
23/02/10

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