ALOR STAR – PAS has kicked the ball back into Umno’s court on the decision whether the political pact of Muafakat Nasional (MN) is to be adopted as a cooperation arrangement between them for the upcoming 15th general election (GE15).
Despite the two parties’ apparent differences, PAS has passed a motion proposed by its highest decision-making body, the Ulama Council, and seconded by its youth wing to pursue the relationship with Umno under MN.
But the small print in the motion indicates that PAS is keen to cooperate with all Malay-Muslim dominated parties, as well as non-Muslims – including non-governmental organisations who are willing to accept the Islamist party.
Hence, the reaffirmation of remaining with the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition, which is led by Umno splinter-party and rival Bersatu, and also counts multi-ethnic driven Gerakan as a component party.
On Friday, Umno president Datuk Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had said that the party was forced to abandon MN and go its own way in the national polls after PAS decided to get into bed with Umno’s enemy, Bersatu.
Addressing the gathering today, PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang said that the ultimate political goal of PAS is the unity of the ummah (Muslim community).
Hadi, who is said to be stricken with health problems, looked stern and his normal self during the three-day muktamar, which was mostly held at the sprawling Kedah PAS complex in Kota Sarang Semut some 50km from state capital Alor Star.
It is now up to Umno, he stressed, adding that PAS has never backed away from the concept of MN because it was first formed with Umno.
Bersatu had agreed to join MN in 2020, but this did not materialise due to tensions with Umno.
“We didn’t short-change anyone. We are often advocating the unity of the ummah. We have never strayed from our beliefs. There are some leaders in Umno who agree to this,” Hadi said in his address.
The Islamist party also passed several other resolutions, but the highlight was the admission that it still wants MN or a semblance of it to be applied for GE15.
During the gathering, delegates came one after another during the debates and speeches to advocate the importance of ensuring straight fights in the constituencies that PAS would contest.
PAS elections director Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said that the party has shortlisted 80 parliamentary seats that it will compete for in GE15, compared to 155 in the last election.
Vice-president Datuk Nik Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah went one step further by predicting that PAS can win up to 40 federal seats because it controls three states, besides having a wealth of experience in its election machinery.
PAS presently has 17 parliamentary seats, but it also controls the three Malay heartland states of Kedah, Terengganu and Kelantan – making it a “kingmaker” for Malay votes.
In his winding up speech, Hadi went to great pains to outline PAS’ struggle, often resembling the revered ulama that he is in PAS.
Hadi said that the struggle for victory in Islam is an arduous and long-term process but when victorious, it can be a lasting experience.
“We can’t foresee victory. It is entirely up to Allah to decide. Just like we cannot predict who our enemies are. But we should not be in politics to multiply our enemies,” he said.
Hadi said that victory is achievable once the unity of the ummah is sealed, citing historical anecdotes from the Quran when the Prophet Muhammad managed to develop Medina in Saudi Arabia into a major cosmopolitan city by uniting all Muslim factions.
“Only when the Muslims are united, then we can invite the non-believers to join us in developing our land. Eventually, some of them also embraced Islam,” he said.
PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan said that the party has agreed to ensure that 30% of its candidates would be made up of women and youth.
“This was decided in a meeting and the Ulama Council will endorse it eventually.”
PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said the Ulama Council will deliberate on the preference to use the PAS logo in Kedah, Terengganu, Kelantan and also Selangor for the GE15 campaign.
He also said that PAS is committed towards planting as many tree saplings as possible in a show of support towards the greenery campaign and in fighting climate change. – The Vibes, September 4, 2022
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