Karpal's outburst rude, alienating
Malaysiakini.com
Apr 29, 2008 
Abdul Rahman Abdul Talib

I refer to the Malaysiakini
MCPX
report Karpal: I didn't insult Islam.

My advice to Karpal is to please be sensitive to other race’s feelings and sentiments. You cannot expect people to understand you if you do not try to understand the other side.

The alleged ‘death threat’ against Karpal is nothing more than an emotional response to Karpal’s insensitive remarks about Islam and the Malay rights. Karpal should know better than to be making careless remarks that touch upon the sensitivity of the people in Malaysia, namely the Malays.

On the Islamic State, Karpal should realiae that it is PAS’ main agenda. If PAS has not come out in public to ask DAP to abandon its ‘Malaysian Malaysia’, the polite thing for DAP to do is not to criticise PAS for their stand.

Karpal and DAP should realise that all polls conducted show that more than 80% of Malays in Malaysia regard Malaysia as an Islamic state. Karpal insistence will only alienate the Malays from Pakatan Rakyat and strengthen their resolve to reject DAP and Pakatan Rakyat in the next election.

By 2012/13, the numbers of the Malay electorate will be more than now especially in Penang where it is projected that Malays will comprise 51% of the Penang’s electorate. Given Karpal’s recent antics, one can only imagine how DAP will be able to hold on onto power in Penang.

PAS has been very understanding with DAP. They have been quiet when Lim Guan Eng openly denounces the NEP, they have been supportive of the Selangor pig project announcement and also for their willingness to put aside the Islamic state agenda temporarily in place of the Pakatan Rakyat manifesto.

All of these actions taken by PAS will result in PAS becoming more and more unpopular among the Malay electorate. Yet, in the spirit of friendship, they’re willing to make the sacrifice.

Karpal recent outburst is rude. It reflects Karpal’s arrogance rather than anything else. It also reflects Karpal’s inability to appreciate differences in society. His outbursts will further aggravate the bonds within Pakatan Rakyat, not to mention alienate and aggravate the majority of the Malays from the Pakatan Rakyat. DAP will need to realise that without the Malay votes, they will never be able to hold onto the Penang state government for long.

In fact, if Karpal and DAP continue to display their insensitiveness towards the Malays and Muslims, the only other possible course of action is for PAS is to join Umno and Barisan Nasional. At least, that is the sentiment I sense from a lot of my Malay Muslims friends and colleagues. And such sentiments are getting stronger and stronger by the day. Trust me on this.

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