In fact, Karpal said he had thrown PAS a lifeline by publicly stating that the party realises the necessity of multi-racialism by having a non-Muslim wing, unlike Umno, MCA and MIC, which he added were unadulterated racist parties which required deregistration.
“True, I had stated that raced-based political parties and professional bodies should open their doors to other races, which unfortunately included PAS, but I was quick to add that PAS acknowledged the necessity of multi-racialism by having a non-Muslim supporters’ wing.
“I did not ask for the deregistration of PAS at the press conference. I did not bring PAS into the net I had cast against political parties and professional bodies set up along racial lines. I have stated the truth,” he said in a statement today.
As such, the Bukit Gelugor parlimentarian said he would not be issuing an apology to PAS, as sought by some of its leaders.
The veteran politician had come-out to clarify his statement made during Tuesday's press conference in Penang where he reportedly called for the deregistration of race-based political parties and professional bodies.
Stating he was appalled by some of the statements made against him, including by academicians, Karpal expressed surprise that even journalist Terence Netto had fallen hook, line and sinker for the spin that he had allegedly called for PAS to be deregistered.
“I am surprised how Netto could have grown so old and learned so little. Not to be outsmarted, certain PAS officials have also descended to the pit of infamy in their criticism of me over the alleged remark against PAS,” he said.
'PAS denying it has non-Muslim wing?'
The veteran politician asked PAS whether it is denying that it has formed the non-Muslim supporters’ wing prior to the 2004 general election or was the party also refuting that it had put up Indian candidate R Kumutha in the 2008 general election.
Karpal also claimed that even PAS vice-president Salahuddin Ayub (left) had said the non-Muslims wing is a good way to position the party among non-Muslims and to keep the party relevant to all Malaysians.
Karpal further urged PAS to show its sincerity by opening its doors to members of the non-Muslim wing to become full-fledged members of the party.
“Far from being deregistered, such a move will bring it into the fold of multiracial political parties in the country,” he said.
Karpal admitted his call was made in reference to the Muslim Lawyers Association (MLA), which had apparently threaten the Malaysian Bar not to support Catholic weekly The Herald’s appeal against the ‘Allah’ ruling.
“I stand firm over my call for the deregistration of the MLA, formed in 1988, at the height of the (former Lord President) Salleh Abas’ dismissal obviously with full support from Dr Mahathir Mohamad who was then the prime minister, which led members from that association to assemble and demonstrate quite violently in front of the Bar Council office near the Masjid Jamek,” he said.
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