DAP's 'communist' ties: Speaker to rule on Annuar's remark

PARLIAMENT | Dewan Rakyat Speaker Mohamad Ariff Mohd Yusof today said he would refer to today’s Hansard before making a ruling on whether Annuar Musa (BN-Ketereh) should withdraw his remarks on DAP's alleged communist links.

In his debate of the royal address today, Annuar had sparked an outcry from DAP lawmakers after he touched upon the party’s alleged historical links with "the communist movement".

"I do not need to delve into that polemic, but (according to) DAP's history, it used to be supported by the communist movement," said Annuar.

His remark prompted Kasthuri Patto (Harapan-Batu Kawan) and RSN Rayer (Harapan-Jelutong) to demand that he withdraw his statement.

The DAP lawmakers claimed Annuar made the remarks in bad faith against the party.

Annuar had been responding to Noor Amin Ahmad (Harapan-Kangar), who had interjected during the former’s speech on how the Malay-Muslim majority in Malaysia has always respected the rights of non-Muslims.

Annuar said that such openness should not trigger direct or indirect attacks from non-Muslims.

Such attacks, he added, included the recent 'Taliban' jibe directed at Umno and PAS following the announcement of their formal cooperation.

Noor Amin had claimed that the Taliban jibe, which was first made by DAP deputy secretary-general Nga Kor Ming, was a reaction to Umno and PAS’ constant labelling of DAP as a communist party.

On Mar 8, Nga told members of the Chinese press that if an Umno-PAS coalition were to come into power, Malaysia could turn into a Taliban state.

He added that the Umno-PAS alliance will harp on issues of race and religion to garner support and, once in power, will implement extreme policies to victimise non-Malays and moderate Malays.

Responding to the DAP lawmakers’ objections, Mohd Ariff ordered Annuar to withdraw his statement.

"Tuan Speaker, please read the Hansard tomorrow.

"Did I say that DAP leaders were influenced by communists?" said Annuar who insisted he was merely stating a historical fact.

"I can withdraw what I did not say, not a problem. But I know what I have said.

"What I said was that historical facts, including in documents kept by the Home Ministry on the cause of the May 13 incident, (showed that) there were elements of the communist party that supported the DAP," said Annuar.

Ariff later ruled that he would first refer to the full Hansard containing today's proceedings before making a final ruling tomorrow.

"That's a fair ruling. I welcome it," said Annuar, who went on to repeat his argument that it was an undeniable historical fact the DAP and Singapore's ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) had received at one time backing from communist elements. - Mkini