PKR de-facto leader Anwar Ibrahim admitted that the hair salon dispute in Kelantan was poorly handled by the PAS-led state government.
However, Anwar qualified his stance by saying that the Kelantan government was concerned about such places being used for immoral activities.
The issue was discussed during a recent Pakatan Rakyat meeting, the Permatang Pauh MP and parliamentary opposition leader added.
"We recognised that the matter was poorly handled and this was exacerbated by the senior exco member's standing on the issue and the nature of the Chinese to go to such salons.
"Pakatan did raise this matter at the meeting and advised them (the Kelantan government) to be extremely careful, to be duly sensitive and respectful of the differences (of the other races)," Anwar said.
Anwar said he was not unduly worried about the law but was concerned about the interpretation of the law in dealing with the issue.
Welcomes resolution of the issue
"I welcome the resolution of the matter. We (Pakatan) do not condone such places being used for immoral activities.
"If someone wants to go to a place of prostitution... do not confuse this with the hair salon. That is why I do not go to such places (hair salons), for if I do, it will be on the front pages of the mainstream media," he said.
The Kota Bharu Municipal Council last month took action against the operator of a hair salon where a female hairdresser gave a male customer a hair cut.
However, the Kelantan government has since suspended the terms of licensing imposed on hair salons operated by non-Muslims.
Asked about Malays fairing poorly in the recent DAP national election, Anwar said it was like asking the Chinese to contest in Umno.
Notable increase in Malay members in DAP
He noted that the inclusion of Malays in the DAP leadership may not make enough of an impact now as their representation was too small.
"However, there is a notable increase in Malay members in the party and this is very assuring. It is interesting to note in the DAP elections that despite coming from a minority, Karpal Singh still got elected," he said.
Anwar also noted that another reason could have been the personal strengths and track records of the Malay candidates contesting.
"Previously (in DAP) we had a Malay leader in Ahmad Nor and he was accepted because of his trade union links. Maybe the Malay leaders in DAP should campaign nationwide to make themselves better known," he said.
Besides this, Anwar said, the Malay DAP leaders had to compete with other established, nationally-known DAP leaders.
Seat negotiations 95 percent complete
Anwar also said that with the 13th general election looming, the Pakatan Rakyat seat negotiations have been 95 percent completed.
He said seat negotiations in Penang and Selangor have been resolved but there were disagreements over one or two seats each in Kedah and Perak.
"We are also negotiating with SAPP and with Star in Sabah to ensure one-on-one contests. Basically, the arrangement is based on the 2008 seat distribution."
Asked about DAP wanting to request three more parliamentary and 10 more state seats, Anwar said the matter was not brought to his attention.
"Let those in charge of the seat negotiations, Tan Kok Wai (DAP), Azmin Ali (PKR) and Mustafa Ali (PAS) decide on the matter," he said.
Hafiz Yatim
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