Cool off over hudud, Rafizi tells DAP, PAS

KUALA LUMPUR: Pakatan Rakyat needs a "cooling period" in light of spats between the DAP and PAS over hudud.

“Looking at the negative exchanges between DAP and PAS leaders over the past few months, it is understandable and expected that Lim Kit Siang fears for the worst.

“Let’s have a two week cooling period before the PAS party polls begins, then we’ll see what happens,” PKR secretary general Rafizi Ramli (pic) told reporters at the Parliament lobby.

Relations between DAP and PAS had been strained, especially over PAS’ bid to enforce hudud in Kelantan.

On Sunday, Lim, DAP's adviser, warned that the opposition coalition could cease in two weeks time.

Lim said the strained relations with PAS was also because the Islamic party had failed to abide by the Pakatan common policy framework.

He said Pakatan might break up before the PAS muktamar starts on June 4, if the issues were not addressed.

Asked on this, Rafizi said: “I’d rather cross the bridge once I get there.”

“Over the last seven years or so, Pakatan parties have faced so many so-called calamities and predictions, but we are still here and we still represent the rakyat’s voice.

“So I’m quite optimistic that regardless of all that has happened, the overriding wishes of the public will make a difference when we cross the bridge,” he added.

Rafizi admitted that the strained relations had affected the coalition.

“To say that all will be okay is to delude ourselves, but I still have faith that seeing the public support will remind us of the need to set aside our differences and work towards our common goal.

“No matter how damaged the bridge is, getting across is what’s important right now, because that is what the public will want for us,” he said.