20th December 2001

Steven Gan
Editor
Malaysiakini

Dear Steven,

Re: BA divided over PAS Islamic state ‘white paper’

I wish to refer to the news item that appeared in Malaysiakini, dated December 20, under the above headline. I am thoroughly disgusted and at the same time sad about it.

I am disgusted because the report contains many lies and concoctions, and I am sad because your reporter, Dzailani Ahmad, appears to be deliberately trying to put the BA component parties at odds with one another and discredit PRM to the public.

I wish to deny categorically ever making the following statements that have been unfairly attributed to me, namely:

(a) “we will support PAS’ concept of an Islamic state which is based on the Quran and the traditions of Prophet Muhammad (Sunnah)” (paragraph 4);

(b) “This is an important issue that needs to be addressed carefully so that the public would understand the difference between PAS’ model of an Islamic state and Umno’s” (paragraph 6);

I also wish to stress that at no time did I, as a PRM leader, (i) called on PAS to organise public forums, if parliament refuses to discuss the issue” (paragraph 5), or

(ii) said that the party is willing to help PAS organise road shows to explain its Islamic state concept to the public (paragraph 7).

During the short telephone interview with Dzailani, which was conducted in the Malay language, I mentioned only three things. One, PRM has not seen the so-called ‘white paper’, although we were briefed on it by PAS leaders in a meeting of the Majlis Pimpinan BA about a month ago. Two, we support PAS’ intention of requesting a discussion on this matter in Parliament. Three, we agree with PAS’ idea that this issue be explained and discussed in public as widely as possible.

In view of what I have elaborated above, I would like to request that Malaysiakini publishes this letter in full and at the same time tender an apology for publishing such an irresponsible report.

Yours sincerely,

Dr Syed Husin Ali
PRM President