[UPDATED] PAS-held states won’t hold elections before March: Takiyuddin

KUALA LUMPUR – States currently under PAS’ administration will not dissolve their legislative assemblies before March next year, even if a general election is held earlier. 

PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan said priority will instead be given to  issues concerning the general public, namely the economy and health. 

The decision will affect Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu.

This was among several key decisions made during the party’s committee meeting yesterday.

These decisions will also be brought to PAS’ 68th annual general assembly in Alor Star, Kedah this weekend. 

According to Takiyuddin, the Islamist party also decided in yesterday’s meeting that it will not consider any form of cooperation with Pakatan Harapan (PH) or any of its components in facing the looming 15th general election (GE15).

This includes the proposal of a “big tent” comprising various political entities. 

Amusingly, in the same statement, the energy and natural resources minister said his party is open to identifying the best formula for political cooperation in facing GE15. 

“This is provided they prioritise unity and harmony in facing the 15th general election, for the sake of stability and the welfare of the multiracial and multi-religious people in this country.”

The Kota Baru MP added that PAS will continue to prioritise the concept of “ummah” (community) and national unity in making its political decisions, indicating that any cooperation will likely only be with Malay-Muslim parties. 

“We are very optimistic that this ummah unity approach can be achieved through collaborations with major parties in the country, based on the concept of Malay-Muslim and Bumiputera unity. 

“This is because it is an effective formula that is accepted by the majority of Malaysians.”

PAS is currently a component of the Bersatu-led Perikatan Nasional (PN) – which also comprises Chinese-majority Gerakan – while continuing its efforts to reconcile with Umno under the Muafakat Nasional banner. 

Takiyuddin’s statement comes just three days after PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin made an overture to opposition parties regarding possible cooperation under a single umbrella to fight against what he deemed as a common enemy, Barisan Nasional (BN).

This is despite PH having previously turned down his offer to cooperate in the upcoming polls. 

Speaking at a press conference after PN’s convention, Muhyiddin had said that with GE15 expected to be called soon, parties should consider putting aside any differences to ensure a straight fight against Umno-BN. 

“Previously, several parties wanted to meet us to discuss possible cooperation. However, they might have thought that the election is still further away, so they let it be. 

“But if they have changed their minds now, with rumours of the election being just around the corner, we are open (to discussions). We know that our common enemy is BN, and their involvement in corruption and power abuse is not good for our country. 

“If we have a common goal to prevent the country from falling further into the doldrums, leaders from other parties should think about how to avoid this from happening,” he had said. 

Yesterday, it was reported that PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli had dismissed any possibility of cooperation with PN, a final decision that he said was made during a PH meeting last week. – The Vibes, August 30, 2022