KUALA LUMPUR – PAS has doubled down on the need for cooperation among all parties ahead of the general election, for the sake of ummah unity – with the exception being Pakatan Harapan (PH).
Its president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang said it is pertinent that there are no multi-cornered fights, to ensure the opposition coalition – comprising PKR, DAP, Amanah and Upko – is defeated.
“PAS will continue to hold discussions and negotiations with all quarters, including political parties, non-government organisation, academicians and community leaders, towards succeeding the ummah unity agenda.
“This is to achieve a common ground and to avoid multi-cornered fights, subsequently defeating PH,” he said in a statement on PAS’ current political standing.
PAS, which is part of the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition, has been consistently pushing for cooperation with Malay based parties Bersatu and Umno.
However, Barisan Nasional linchpin Umno has maintained that the Islamist party must quit PN and sever ties with Bersatu as part of a condition for cooperation.
Umno and PAS had temporarily worked together while in the opposition following PH’s general election win in 2018.
Their Muafakat Nasional ties, however, deteriorated after PAS decided to join PN as a formal component member.
On a separate matter, Hadi said his party is against the idea of holding snap polls, insisting that priority should be on the economy and the year-end flood season.
“PAS is of the opinion that the dissolution of Parliament in the near future is inappropriate and should not be hastened, taking into account factors such as the economic recovery and the monsoon forecast.
“It is our stand that in whatever situation, the country and people’s interests should take priority. Measures to recover the economy should also continue to be supported, particularly through the 2023 Budget which will be tabled soon.”
Speculations are rife that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob is expected to dissolve Parliament in the immediate days after the budget is tabled on Friday, amid pressure from his party Umno. – The Vibes, October 4, 2022
