Karpal backs Anwar for PM, says PAS important ally

DAP national chairperson Karpal Singh has come to the 16th national congress in Penang with strong conviction to seal the relationship between the party and Pakatan Rakyat allies PAS and PKR.

In his opening speech at the congress, Karpal said that DAP backs PKR’s de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim as the prime minister should Pakatan come to power after the 13th general election.

This is in response to recent calls by PAS members that their president Abdul Hadi Awang should be installed as PM if Pakatan seizes Putrajaya.

Karpal however went on to endorse PAS as an “important ally” despite despite his outspoken criticisms against the party for imposing Islamic policies on non-Muslims, especially in Kelantan,

“PAS is an important ally in Pakatan. We may have differences with PAS but it is a solid,  principled party,” said Karpal, followed by loud cheers from the crowd.

“What is important is not to lose sight that the enemy is Barisan Nasional. We must end BN in this battle and it might be the only opportunity of replacing BN with Pakatan at a national level,” he added.

'Don't forget the veterans'

Karpal said there is no doubt in his mind that Pakatan can achieve that objective especially with Penang setting the example with the effective government under the leadership of Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.

“What has been achieved by Pakatan in Penang will be achieved in Putrajaya,” said Karpal.

Karpal said in the past no one would have expected that DAP would cooperate with PAS, but now  the entire political scenario in Malaysia has changed.

“We, too, must change with times or times will change us,” he quipped.

“In politics, there are no permanent friends or enemies, but we must have permanent principles and DAP will hold on to those principles,” he added..

Meanwhile, Karpal also reminded delegates not to forget veteran leaders as without them the party would not have progressed to what it is today.

“If not for veterans, you will not be where you are. Don’t underestimate the power of the veterans,” he warned, to loud applause from the participants. 

He named veteran leaders Lim Kit Siang, Chen Man Hin, the late P Patoo and  Fan Yew Teng, saying the party had been built with their “sweat and blood”.