SHAH ALAM: DAP has never questioned the status of Islam as the official religion of Malaysia, says party secretary-general Anthony Loke.
He added that DAP is also incapable of amending the Federal Constitution on its own and said that it is irresponsible for Perikatan Nasional chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to make baseless and illogical allegations against the party.
Loke added it is irresponsible for Muhyiddin to claim that Malaysia will be a secular country should DAP gain more seats through the re-delineation of electoral boundaries.
The Transport Minister was speaking to the media after opening the Selangor State DAP Annual Convention 2023 here on Sunday (Nov 26).
He was responding to statements by Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia leaders who said that should DAP be a strong political force with the redelineation of urban constituencies, the country would be secular and the rights of the Malays and Islam would be at stake.
Loke said that all decisions by the government will always be a collective decision that is not dictated by one party.
"As far as DAP is concerned, we have always taken a very moderate approach and a moderate path. We reiterate our position that we respect and uphold Islam as the official religion but the freedom of other religions must be protected," he said.
"That is a provision under the Constitution which we respect. We have never questioned the position of Islam as the official religion. This is something that we uphold," added Loke.
He then said that Muhyiddin's claim that Malay political power will be lost if DAP is strong is not only a lie, but also an irresponsible allegation that is being used as a scare tactic.
Loke then said that DAP has 40 seats in Parliament, while amendments of the Constitution need 148 votes in the Dewan Rakyat.
"There is no logic as to how 40 MPs could amend the Federal Constitution when such amendments need 148 votes in Parliament. Furthermore, any decision by the Cabinet is a collective decision. One party cannot dictate the decision of the government," said Loke.
He added that DAP only has four representatives in a Cabinet of 26 people.
"We have always upheld the Federal Constitution and that is our stand together as part of the Unity Government. We govern the country in accordance with the principles of the Federal Constitution," said Loke.
