An Abim stalwart and prominent academician Prof Datuk Dr Sidek Baba said that under the Anwar-led Pakatan Rakyat (PR) pact, Pas is no longer known as a party that fiercely prioritises the interests of Muslims with their agenda of an Islamic state and Hudud.
The former Anwar’s loyalist claimed that Pas is no longer respected in the coalition since the Syura Council’s decision on ‘Kalimah Allah’ was rejected and their wish to establish an Islamic state was postponed due to a protest from the DAP.
While saying that Anwar is not taking Pas’ agenda seriously, Sidek further said: “If we follow his struggle carefully, Anwar is a man that holds principles of liberalism and pluralism.
“Taking the issue of ‘Allah’ for example, a few Muftis' enactments in several state religious departments had stated that it is exclusively for Muslims. But Anwar himself insisted that it should be done the other way, even it is against the Pas Syura Council and Ulamak council’s decision,” he told a press conference today.
Earlier, Sidek, who is also former deputy rector of the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUC), had met former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to exchange views as well as explain to the statesman what had led to him "abandoning" Anwar.
Describing the meeting which took place at Yayasan Al-Bukhary as a fruitful session, Sidek said he had the chance to talk heart-to-heart with Dr Mahathir about a few issues related to the opposition leader.
Meanwhile, Sidek said the DAP, which is another component in PR, is a social democratic-based party, which is against the principles of Pas.
“If Pas had the principle once, why it is seen as becoming tolerant with DAP and PKR? Why did the party tone down on issues like ‘Kalimah Allah’, ‘Hudud’, and migrating from the Islamic state to the agenda of welfare state?” he asked.
Sidek also said that had meet a group of Abim leaders in an effort to explain why he left Anwar after being with him for over 30 years.
“I had organised a few sessions with almost 70 Abim leaders. In the sessions, I brought along those who had left Anwar earlier and they had the chance to explain why they did that in the first place.
“These leaders are thinkers, and they know how to judge fairly. And based on the responses given, I think they had accepted the explanation,” Sidek said.
He also stated that there will be more sessions with other Abim leaders, activists and students locally and overseas so that they will also have the chance to know the real story of Anwar.
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