The “PAS for all” slogan used to attract professionals and non-Muslims is now more fitting for DAP, a former member of the Islamist party said.
Lawyer Zulhazmi Shariff submitted his DAP membership form to Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng after a buka puasa organised by Lim in Kuala Lumpur two days ago.
Zulhazmi, 39, said PAS appeared to be retreating to its 1970s and 1980s self, when the Islamist party took no political allies and fought on its own.
“I observed that PAS is moving backwards, while DAP is taking up PAS’s approach of being inclusive.
“Before, it was ‘PAS for all’ but now it seems that DAP is adopting ‘DAP for all’,” he told The Malaysian Insider.
Zulhazmi handed in his resignation letter to PAS on June 15.
He said he had wanted to join DAP even before the 13th general election, but stayed with PAS with the hope that it would become more open and less restricted.
“But instead what happened is that PAS is reverting to the 1970s and 1980s era, as if it wants to remain alone.”
Zulhazmi said he was attracted to DAP because its firmness in championing its ideals mirrored his own spirit.
“I prefer DAP’s style, because it stands firm to its principles… If they say something, they will do it… they won’t twist around or turn back on their words. I stand by the same principles.”
He added that he practised such principles even when he was with PAS.
“If I’m wrong, I will admit it.”
Last month, PAS activist Sheikh Omar Ali also left the party for DAP over his disappointment with the Islamist party’s elections, which saw the conservative faction sweep up almost all the top posts.
Zulhazmi said he preferred DAP over PKR, even though he had many friends in PKR.
“PKR was less attractive to me compared with DAP. Maybe I am prejudiced towards PKR.
“But it’s difficult to say because I’m not interested in PKR, even though I am friends with many PKR members and leaders.” – July 4, 2015.
– See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/pas-moving-backwards-and-thats-why-i-joined-dap-says-lawyer#sthash.GKrLOeSK.dpuf