Media statement by Lim Kit Siang in Kuala Lumpur on Monday, 14^th May 2012: 

PR Leadership Council reaffirms unswerving commitment to common policy accords before or after 13GE

The Pakatan Rakyat Leadership Council today reaffirmed unswerving commitment to common policy agreements reached by the three component parties, namely PKR, PAS and DAP, whether before or after the 13th General Elections, in the PR Common Policy Framework of December 19, 2009, Buku Jingga of 20th December 2010 and the Joint PR Leadership Statement of 28^th September 2011.

As stated in PR Common Policy Framework unanimously adopted at the First Pakatan Rakyat Convention in Shah Alam in December 2009, Pakatan Rakyat is committed to uphold the spirit and provisions of the Federal Constitution, in particular, to

1. Defend the Federal Constitution, Islam as the religion of the Federation while other religions can be practiced peacefully anywhere in the country and protecting the special position of the Malays and the indigenous peoples anywhere including Sabah and Sarawak, and the legitimate interests of other races in accordance to Article 153.

2. Defend the role and responsibility of the institution of Constitutional Monarchy.

3. Uphold the use of Bahasa Melayu in accordance to Article 152 of the Constitution and promote Bahasa Melayu as the regional lingua franca, while protecting and strengthening the use of mother tongue languages for all races.

4. Abolish the Internal Security Act and other laws that allow for detention without trial while simultaneously propose that all existing emergency declarations are rescinded.

5. Abolish or amend all other oppressive laws and regulations that are repressive and contravene fundamental rights.

6. Guarantee the spirit of Federalism and a just relationship between the Federation and states especially Sabah and Sarawak.

The PR Leadership Council today also reaffirmed the principle that there must be consensus among the three PR component parties before there could be any change in any agreed PR policy.

Hukum Hudud is not part of the PR Common Policy Framework as DAP is of the view that it is unconstitutional to implement it. However, DAP respects PAS views on the subject.

The statement by Dewan Ulama chief Datuk Harun Taib that hudud implementation and Federal Constitution amendment would be PAS’ priorities even if it meant changing its current partners in the Pakatan Rakyat was also raised at the Pakatan Rakyat Leadership Council meeting this morning.

PAS President Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang and other PAS leaders assured the PR Leadership Council that the PAS leadership repudiated Harun’s view as it does not represent PAS position but was only Harun’s own personal view.

*Lim Kit Siang, DAP Parliamentary Leader & MP for Ipoh Timor