ALOR STAR – PAS’ ultimate political goal is Muslim unity while reaching out to non-Muslim Malaysians who subscribe to the party’s conservative Islamic values, said its president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang.
He said he is confident a political front built on Malay unity can be formed ahead of the looming 15th general election (GE15) even though Umno, PAS’ Muafakat Nasional partner, had rejected an invitation to attend the Islamist party’s annual muktamar gathering today.
“We want to pursue the unity of the ummah (congregation). And we remain open to discussions and negotiations to this end although there are setbacks,” Hadi said after opening the 68th PAS muktamar at the sprawling Kedah PAS complex in Kota Sarang Semut here.
PAS is the only party with a leg each in a different political coalition – it is a partner with Umno under the Muafakat Nasional electoral pact formed after the 2018 general election. Muafakat has not formally disbanded but Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has considered it barely alive.
This is because PAS is also a key component in the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition, which is led by Umno-rival Bersatu.
Other parties in PN besides PAS and Bersatu are Gerakan, Star and the Sabah Progressive Party.
PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan earlier said the party had extended an invitation to the Umno leadership at national level and in Kedah to attend the muktamar, but it went unanswered.
In preparing for GE15, PAS’ selection criteria for candidates would be those who can, firstly, win, are accepted by the voters and have the ability to govern, Hadi also said.
“This does not mean only technocrats would be selected. PAS also wants more candidates among the youth and women,” said Hadi, adding that the party has left it to its Dewan Ulama to make the final decision on the candidates’ list.
He also confirmed that negotiations are still ongoing within PN for seat allocations.
Takiyuddin, meanwhile, said PAS plans to have 30% of its candidates from the youth and women’s wings.
He also said that the party remains optimistic of retaining Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu, while also seizing Perlis.
The muktamar this year has been subdued, as there is no election of office bearers among the 1,300 delegates from some 160 PAS divisions throughout the country.
On his controversial remark that non-Muslims are a major cause of corruption in the country, Hadi told the press he had given his statement to police at Bukit Aman, after police reports were lodged against him. – The Vibes, September 3, 2022
