Published: Tuesday January 22, 2013 MYT 4:00:00 PM
Penang PAS stages protest over Karpal Singh's meddling in Syura decision
GEORGE TOWN: A group of PAS members and supporters gathered in front of the office of DAP national chairman Karpal Singh here to protest over the use of the word Allah.
Karpal had urged PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang to review the party's Ulama Syura Council's decision on the use of the word "Allah" in the Bahasa Melayu version of the Bible.
The group, led by Tanjong PAS permanent chairman Zaidi Abu Bakar, gathered for more an hour in Jalan Green Hall.
They carried placards and banners with protest statements like "If You Want To Fight Our Ulama, Step Over Our Dead Bodies First", "Malays Must Not Vote For Karpal", "PAS Must Quit PR", "We Defend the Ulama Syura Council" and "Karpal+Azmin Don't Respect PAS' Policies".
Zaidi said Karpal had no right to interfere in Islamic matters and should respect the decision of the Syura Council as the issue was studied by the PAS ulama in line with syariah, hence the decision could not be disputed.
"Initially, there were PAS leaders who made erroneous statements over the issue but following the decision of the Syura Council, all have agreed to the decision, so Karpal must not interfere and worsen the situation."
Zaidi also claimed that most PAS members in Penang were disappointed with the state PAS leaders who remained silent over Karpal's statement.