KUALA LUMPUR: Pas has issued an apology over the incident involving Gerakan president Datuk Dominic Lau who was seen as being asked to leave the Perikatan Nasional (PN) Best Mega Ceramah in Tasek Gelugor, Penang which was also attended by Pas president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang recently.
Pas secretary-general, Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan, issued a statement saying that the Islamist party does not condone such disrespectful behaviour towards the leader of a component party in the coalition, and that decisions made by the party's top leadership should be accepted by members and supporters with an open heart.
"Even though Lau denied claims that he was asked to leave the ceramah by a local Pas leader, however on behalf of the central Pas leadership, I believe that his presence must be accepted and appreciated as a guest based on moral values and the principles of Islam.
"Apart from this, the party that he leads is a component party in the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition and he is a candidate in the upcoming state elections. He should be accorded with decency and due respect.
"Pas, like any other party, is very much aware and informed that political coalitions or combination tend to give rise to dissatisfaction, frustration and so on so forth, especially for issues related to the division of seats or the selection of candidates for a state legislative assembly or Parliamentary seat," said Takiyuddin in a statement released today.
He said in the context of Lau's selection as a PN candidate for the state seat of Bayan Lepas which is a Malay majority seat, he said the party was aware of the sentiments among its members and supporters.
However he reiterated that Pas also believes that when such a decision is made with the consent and agreement of the party's top leadership, party members and supporters must accept such a decision and move forward, other than placing their trust and faith in the party leadership led by Abdul Hadi.
"Therefore I would like to call on those Pas members and supporters to realise that continued objection, defiance and actions that are against the interest of the party will not only create an unharmonious situation in the PN coalition, but it will also challenge and question the wisdom of the decision of Pas' own president.
"In the current political climate that is tainted by an extreme and chauvinist narrative, as the oldest and biggest Islamist party, Pas believes that we must be responsible in showing the way towards political maturity and moderation, but also in providing assistance and protection to anyone or any side that needs it.
"Pas views Lau and Gerakan as part of those who must be helped and protected. Therefore once again I call on Pas members and supporters to extend help and assistance as much as possible based on the spirit of friendship and brotherhood," said Takiyuddin, the former Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister during the previous administration .
He also shared that Pas hopes and urges all members and supporters as well as PN as a whole to focus on the state elections by putting aside any disagreements and ill feelings that can weaken joint efforts to achieve success.
"When the country and the nation needs us to be devoted to them, we must respond to such a call within the framework of one voice and the determination to do our best," he added.