Media statement by Loke Siew Fook in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday, 10^th February 2011:

DAPSY does not agree on PAS Youth's approach on Valentine's Day

I refer to an AFP report yesterday with the headline "Pakatan states plan Valentine's Day crackdown". The report quoted PAS Youth Chief Nasaruddin Hasan Tantawi as saying that authorities in Kedah, Penang, Kelantan and Selangor will carry out "immoral checks" on February 14.

Firstly, I want to stress that DAP and DAPSY do not agree with the approach taken by PAS Youth to act as "moral police" to check on couples on Valentine's Day. It is beyond the powers of PAS Youth members on such enforcements. The said campaign planned by PAS Youth was never discussed with both Angkatan Muda Keadilan (AMK) and DAPSY. The PAS Youth Chief who was present at the recent Pakatan Rakyat Leadership Council meeting in DAP headquarters did not raise this issue in the meeting. Therefore, it is misleading to give the impression that this has been endorsed by Pakatan Rakyat to be carried out in the Pakatan states.

Secondly, by claiming that religious authorities in the four Pakatan states will be deployed to carry out the crackdown, PAS Youth is seen as showing disrespect to the respective state governments as the power of enforcement lies with the state government. PAS Youth does not have the power to give direction whatsoever to the authorities in the state government.

PAS Youth must realize that Pakatan Rakyat is a coalition of three political parties. The state governments of Kedah, Penang and Selangor were formed with the combined strength of the coalition. Any action at the state government level must be agreed upon by the coalition either at the State Executive Council (EXCO) meeting or the State Pakatan Rakyat Leadership Council meeting. Unilateral actions or policy announcements by any component party will be tantamount in jeopardizing Pakatan Rakyat's collective interest.

* Loke Siew Fook, DAP Socialist Youth (DAPSY) Chief & MP for Rasah