PAS sec-gen tells gathering of hopes to seize Putrajaya

KUALA LUMPUR – A PAS leader has urged Perikatan Nasional (PN) to be prepared to take over the federal government at any given time, claiming that the present ruling Madani national unity coalition continues to fail in the face of a rapid descent of the ringgit and an unabated rise in living costs.

PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan alleged that the government led by the Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional (PH-BN) alliance continues to disappoint the masses because of the inability to address the core issues afflicting the nation.

"The government has failed because they won't walk the talk (cakap tak serupa bikin)," said Takiyuddin at the 69th PAS muktamar (gathering) in Shah Alam today.

Among those present were PN chairman and Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed.

Takiyuddin accused the government of only favouring certain segments of the diverse communities here, similar to how the BN regime had practiced decades earlier.

He noted that PAS is now at having more power with four states under its control, while its PN coalition holds 73 parliamentary seats. Of these PAS alone has 43 – the highest number among political parties in the country at present.

At the state assembly level, PAS has won 208 state seats, which make up about 46.8% of the total number of state seats in the country.

The Kota Bharu MP said that PAS needs to work harder to convince the people that it can deliver to them what the present government continues to falter.

He also wished party president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang a 76th birthday greeting on behalf of the party delegates. Hadi observes his birthday today.

Although, it is the party's biennial party election, the muktamar this year would be a muted affair since the party leadership agreed that the top five positions would not see any challenges.

The five who retained their positions are Hadi (president), Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (deputy president), Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar (vice-president), Datuk Seri Idris Ahmad (vice-president) and Datuk Seri Mohd Nik Amar Nik Abdullah (vice-president).

The noteworthy contests would be for the 25-member slot of the central committee positions of which Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammed Sanusi Md Nor is expected to be the frontrunner.

Hadi is poised to continue his leadership of the Islamist party. He is into his twentieth year at the helm of the party which is said to have over a million members.

PAS is also the only party to have worked with all major political parties in the country at some time or other. – The Vibes, October 20, 2023.