KUALA LUMPUR, July 8 — Hostilities between PAS and DAP in Kedah ended today after a meeting between leaders from both parties today resulted in the setting up of a committee to smoothen communications on policy issues.
The announcement, made by the DAP’s Lim Kit Siang and Kedah PAS Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak here today, is aimed at pre-empting another fallout between Pakatan Rakyat (PR) parties in the state from recurring.
Azizan and Lim then said the committee, apart from being able to prevent similar problems from recurring, is a step forward in strengthening the PR coalition in the state as far as ironing out their ideological differences are concerned.
“The committee can help resolve all problems immediately,” Lim told a press conference held after the meeting.
The two parties have been at loggerheads for weeks over several issues like the demolition of temples throughout the state and the 50 per cent housing quota for Malays.
The rift widened when the Alor Star City Council demolished an illegal pig abattoir there culminating in DAP’s sole representative in Azizan’s administration quitting.
Azizan said the abattoir issue had now been resolved as his government had located an alternative site which is currently being used for pig rearing.
“The site is far from residences and the Kedah Veterinary Department along with the National Pig Rearing Association have agreed that this site is the best alternative location,” said Azizan.
On the temple demolition issue, Azizan said the temples were built on private land in which the owners had not taken over the properties without the temple operators being compensated.
As for the housing quota for Malays, the Kedah mentri besar said the quota was not a rigid but a flexible policy where houses not sold under the quota system can be sold to non-Malays.
Kedah DAP leaders present at today’s press conference said they were pleased with the progress made by Azizan and would look forward to solving all outstanding issues as a strong coalition.-MalaysianInsider
