‘Divorce oath’ an isolated case, says PAS sec-gen

Khalid said he took a ‘divorce oath’ — File pic

By Adib Zalkapli - The Malaysian Insider

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 13 — PAS secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ali today swiftly ended a brewing controversy over the “divorce oath” or bai'ah taken by Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad by calling it an isolated case.

Khalid had said last week he took the oath to divorce his wife should he quit the party after winning in the general election last year.

But Mustafa explained that all PAS candidates have to take an oath of loyalty before the state party leadership to show their commitment to the party and its Islamic struggle, but it does not include divorcing their wives.

Reading out the oath he took before Election 2008, Mustafa said all PAS candidates vowed to God that they will not “betray the party and Islam”.

“We do not separate politics from Islam, we are not only accountable to the people, but also to God,” he said at a press conference here.

He said it is a common practice among political parties in Malaysia to take action to prevent defections.

“Almost all political parties except for PAS demand that their candidates sign an undated letter addressed to the Speakers of Parliament or state assemblies, stating their intention to quit, and the letter will be used in the event of defection,” he said.

“But because PAS is an Islamic party, we have our own mechanism,” he added.

However, he admitted that the oath taken by the Shah Alam MP was different from the standard pledge drawn up by the party central leadership.

“Except for Selangor, the oath is slightly different and Khalid admitted he took a different oath. He did not elaborate, he said it is between him and the God,” Mustafa said.

He added that while the PAS central committee disagreed with the oath taken by Khalid, the party respected his choice and hoped that all candidates will use the standard oath.

“We look at it as his personal choice taken based on his belief,” said Mustafa.

He agreed to a suggestion that the divorce-linked oath is an insult to women.

On Tuesday, Khalid admitted that he was mistaken for his controversial statement that PAS candidates must pledge a loyalty oath or bai’ah to divorce their wives if they leave the party.

But, he added, his wife was honoured because the strength of their marriage could prevent him from being bribed.