Baru Bian
KUCHING: State Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) chairman Baru Bian has refuted Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak Baru (PBDSB) president Cobbold John Lusoi’s statement that PKR President Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail had expressed support for the implementation of hudud, which indirectly showed Pakatan Harapan (PH)’s support for the Islamic state concept.
Baru who is Ba’Kelalan assemblyman, said the statement by Cobbold was either made in ignorance or in malice.
“Cobbold John should check his facts before trying to mislead people by putting words in the mouths of others. He should know that one of the reasons Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) left the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) coalition was PKR’s firm stand against the RUU355 hudud bill introduced by (Marang MP) Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang in Parliament, which is yet to be debated.
“Datuk Seri Wan Azizah had said that it is the right of any MP to submit a bill but she had also said on many more occasions that PKR MPs will vote against the bill if it is debated and put to the vote,” Baru said in a press statement today.
As for PKR Sarawak’s stand, Baru said it is clear from the many statements they have made that they are firmly against hudud and the attempts by certain parties, PAS and United Malays National Organisation (Umno) to turn Malaysia into an Islamic country.
“The general election draws near, and many are now eyeing the opportunity to contest, and trying to increase their visibility and presence in the media and public.
“However, to do so by making untruthful statements is simply unprofessional and unbecoming of an aspiring politician. Let us not adopt Umno’s brand of politics in Sarawak.”