'Karpal is hiding cracks in DAP-PAS relationship'

DAP chairman Karpal Singh is trying to hide the fact of worsening cracks in DAP-PAS relationship, says Deputy Education Minister Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi.

He said Karpal's statement claiming that no PAS members were involved in the demonstration in front of his office on Jan 22 actually meant that he wanted PAS to agree with DAP over the use of the word 'Allah' in the Malay language Bible.

"This is just his trick to hide the problems in the DAP-PAS relationship. I would like to challenge PAS to deny that those involved in the demonstration are not its members.

"PAS has to answer this. Denying the fact will prove that the party is afraid of Karpal and DAP."

Mohd Puad said this after opening a parenting seminar on the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issue organised by Yayasan Guru Malaysia Berhad, here, today.

On Jan 22, a group of PAS supporters gathered in front of Karpal Singh & Co office in Jalan Green Hall, George Town in protest against Karpal's interference in the 'kalimah Allah' issue.

The demonstration, led by former Penang PAS Youth chief Hafiz Nordin, urged Muslims not to support DAP as its leaders had shown total disregard to the PAS Ulama Syura Council's decision not to allow the use of the word 'Allah' in the Bahasa Melayu version of the Bible.

The 'kalimah Allah' became an issue when Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, who is DAP secretary-general, in his Christmas message called on the federal government to allow Christians to use the word 'Allah' in the Malay language Bible.

Lim's call received protests from various quarters, but found backing from some opposition leaders including PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang and its spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat.

However, the two PAS leaders then made a U-turn in their stand and disagreed with Lim, saying that the call was ridiculous.

Mohd Puad also called on Nik Aziz to speak the truth about his presence at Karpal's 82nd birthday celebration at the latter's house on Jan 27, whether it was just another trick played by PAS and DAP to hide the problems in their relationship.