Wedded to Pas by loyalty oath

2009/11/06

KUALA LUMPUR: All elected representatives of Pas, be they members of parliament or state assemblymen, have been made to take an oath that they would divorce their wives (talak tiga) if they decided to quit or jump to another party.

It was a promise made to prove their loyalty to the party as nothing was more dear to them than their wife and family, said Pas Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad.

The shocking revelation was made in a pro-Pas blog.

Khalid confirmed the matter, saying that all Pas elected representatives had taken the oath.

"Orang rumah (wives) and family stability are the most important things, which is why it became a subject in the oath or bai'ah.

"Betrayal will not happen because Pas leaders appreciate their wives and families dearly," Khalid said in Parliament yesterday.

He said the bai'ah was only fair as the party had supported them in the elections and it was a way to portray their loyalty.

"It is fair considering the promises which the party and candidates made to the public.

"We don't want people to cash in on their (MPs and assemblymen) positions because we know that Barisan Nasional will do all they can to buy over our people."

He added that loyalty to the people who supported them in the elections was important and they should be protected.

"Those who are true to the promise will not jump at any cost, although they are offered millions."

Asked whether the oath was against Islamic teachings, Khalid replied with a firm "no" and said Prophet Muhammad and his companions had also taken the oath before.

"They were willing to sacrifice their families, relatives and belongings. That was the nature and demand of the struggle, and they were willing to make the promise.

"In our case, it is a proof of our sincerity. So we will not, at all cost, betray the party."

However, Pas vice-presidents Datuk Mahfuz Omar and Salahuddin Ayub dismissed the news, saying they were not aware of such an oath.