Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has condemned those who claim DAP has tried to propagate Christianity in Penang, saying he had not witnessed any such attempt.
In a press conference after visiting a market in Seberang Jaya today, he said there was no truth in such allegations against the party and Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.
"From all our meetings and from all the documents I have received or seen from the DAP, the party or its leaders have never raised such issues," he told reporters today.
"Indeed, if they tried, PAS and PKR would never allow it," he added.
Anwar said the good relations between the different racial and religious communities must be always protected, and he felt responsible for ensuring this.
"Any group who try to stir up racial and religious sentiments must be rejected even if they come from the Muslim community," he added.
Anwar said this when relating his meeting with Pope Francis I (left) in Rome recently after attending an international dialogue theme ‘Courage of Hope' which discussed using peace to uphold justice for all.
DAP had been accused by pro-Umno bloggers of trying to hatch a plan to form a Christian state when some of its representatives attended a closed door meeting with Christian pastors.
Several police reports were lodged against the DAP and the pastors but the case was eventually closed, with no action taken on anyone.
Anwar said pro-Malay groups like Perkasa have been accusing the Penang government of marginalising the Malays, warning that there would be racial clashes if the situation was allowed to continue.
"I want to ask, why don't they blame Umno since during their rule (since Merdeka), as cost of petrol, essential goods and government study loans have increased?
He then called on all communities to fight corruption so that such developments no longer happen in the country.
In a press conference after visiting a market in Seberang Jaya today, he said there was no truth in such allegations against the party and Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.
"From all our meetings and from all the documents I have received or seen from the DAP, the party or its leaders have never raised such issues," he told reporters today.
"Indeed, if they tried, PAS and PKR would never allow it," he added.
Anwar said the good relations between the different racial and religious communities must be always protected, and he felt responsible for ensuring this.
"Any group who try to stir up racial and religious sentiments must be rejected even if they come from the Muslim community," he added.Anwar said this when relating his meeting with Pope Francis I (left) in Rome recently after attending an international dialogue theme ‘Courage of Hope' which discussed using peace to uphold justice for all.
DAP had been accused by pro-Umno bloggers of trying to hatch a plan to form a Christian state when some of its representatives attended a closed door meeting with Christian pastors.
Several police reports were lodged against the DAP and the pastors but the case was eventually closed, with no action taken on anyone.
Anwar said pro-Malay groups like Perkasa have been accusing the Penang government of marginalising the Malays, warning that there would be racial clashes if the situation was allowed to continue.
"I want to ask, why don't they blame Umno since during their rule (since Merdeka), as cost of petrol, essential goods and government study loans have increased?
He then called on all communities to fight corruption so that such developments no longer happen in the country.
As for the Goods and Services Tax, which the government is planning to implement since 2011, Anwar said Pakatan would fight it all the way, in Parliament and on the streets.
"If there are people who want to support it and do not want to join our protest, it is up to them but we will fight it all the way," he vowed.
Religious freedom without persecution
On his visit to meet the Pope, Anwar explained that he was invited by the Sant E Didio committee which organises international annual dialogues between Muslims and Christians together with members of other faiths.
Also present was the Grand Mufti of Eygpt Shawky Alam and former Bosnian Mufti Mustafa Ceric, he added.
He said the dialogue was conducted in a free and open environment where all condemned the violence against the Muslims in Egypt and Syria and everyone was firm in promoting religious freedom without persecution.
He said that the Christians raised the issue of churches being attacked in Syria.
"We appreciate the stand that Pope Francis has taken, while condemning the attack has also called on the Christian community to help their Muslim brethren in countries where they are being persecuted," he added.
"If there are people who want to support it and do not want to join our protest, it is up to them but we will fight it all the way," he vowed.
Religious freedom without persecution
On his visit to meet the Pope, Anwar explained that he was invited by the Sant E Didio committee which organises international annual dialogues between Muslims and Christians together with members of other faiths.
Also present was the Grand Mufti of Eygpt Shawky Alam and former Bosnian Mufti Mustafa Ceric, he added.
He said the dialogue was conducted in a free and open environment where all condemned the violence against the Muslims in Egypt and Syria and everyone was firm in promoting religious freedom without persecution.
He said that the Christians raised the issue of churches being attacked in Syria.
"We appreciate the stand that Pope Francis has taken, while condemning the attack has also called on the Christian community to help their Muslim brethren in countries where they are being persecuted," he added.
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