No ‘oath of loyalty' ruling

2009/11/08

KUALA LUMPUR: Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang said there is no directive requiring the party’s elected representatives to divorce their wives should they leave the party.

Expressing surprise over reports on the “oath of loyalty”, Hadi directed immediate investigations into the matter.

“There is no such directive at the national level or by the party’s highest decision making body, the Syura Council. We will investigate whether it happens

only in Selangor,” Hadi said, adding that the matter would be discussed at
the next Syura Council meeting. Hadi was speaking after the closing of the party’s one-day seminar at its headquarters in Gombak here.

Pas Shah Alam member of parliament Khalid Samad said there had been such an oath. He said Pas did not want its representatives to assume that politics was
a platform for them to make money.

“This is why Pas elected representatives were made to take the oath of loyalty, which required them to divorce their wives if they decided to leave the party.”
Khalid said Pas’ elected representatives must take politics seriously and not betray their supporters and the party.

“With all the corruption and political threats in Malaysia, we need people
who are committed to the party and willing to put their all on the line
for the party. We need candidates who are serious, willing to face pressure
and not reverse their decision to represent the party.”

He dismissed criticism that Pas representatives were turning their marriage into a game.

“Becoming a representative for Pas is an ‘amanah’ and they should be
loyal to the supporters as well as to the party.”

On other Pas leaders’ ignorance about the oath, Khalid said it was not
pronounced by everyone. He only knew that those in Selangor took the oath, including himself.

“I have been married for 33 years, have four children and six grandchildren,

and I take my family seriously.

“I’m willing to take the risk because I have no intention of jumping

(to another party).”

On Thursday, Khalid confirmed that Pas MPs and assemblymen had taken the oath or bai'ah to show their loyalty to the party. His statement raised an outcry
from many quarters, including the Pas Supporters Club. In another development, Pas disciplinary committee chairman Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said on the sidelines
of the seminar that the committee had issued show cause letters to several people over the issue involving problematic leaders.

“We have given them 14 days to reply so that they can respond to the all
alegations. ”

Tuan Ibrahim would not reveal who they were. “You will know when the time comes.”

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