Does PAS back terrorism just because of alleged links? DAP rep asks

KUALA LUMPUR, May 24 — In a tit-for-tat, DAP Socialist Youth (DAPSY) chief questioned today a PAS leader if the Islamist party supports terrorism because of the alleged involvement of a few members.

Wong Kah Woh rallied to the defence of his party wing after a member was pilloried for his involvement in a now-cancelled public awareness campaign about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issues.

“DAP members are free to join any association as enshrined in the Federal Constitution.

“DAP believes in freedom of speech and the right to think and I can't understand why PAS and its Youth leadership cannot understand this,” the Canning assemblyman told Malay Mail Online.

He said that if PAS Youth applied the same logic to the allegations surrounding some of its party members, said to be involved with global terror network Islamic State, “does that mean PAS supports terrorism?”

Wong was asked for his response to PAS Youth vice-chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari who earlier today questioned if the DAP supports the LGBT movement because DAPSY Subang organising secretary Numan Afifi was a member of the Pelangi Campaign backing the “Courage in the Face of Adversity” LGBT awareness event scheduled for next month.

The Pelangi Campaign is also known as the Campaign for Equality and Human Rights Initiative and Numan is its founding president.

In a statement earlier, Ahmad also urged Muslims to question if the Pakatan Harapan federal Opposition pact of which DAP is a part, can ensure the “strength and sanctity” of Islam.

Wong added that Ahmad’s remarks on DAP was a reflection of the existing standard and lack of leadership in its party.

He said that if the Islamist party and its Youth wing wanted to be seen as an effective Opposition, they would do better to focus their efforts on their real political nemesis, Barisan Nasional.