PAS a ‘confused’ party, says Dr Mahathir
The former prime minister says PAS is willing to work with the opposition in Selangor but not at the federal level.
“At this moment, they (PAS) are in the government of Selangor where there is DAP. At the same time, they don’t want to be with us,” he said at the Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) National Convention 2016, here.
He added that on one hand, PAS was the opposition but on the other, they practically “kiss each other, appear at demonstrations together (with Umno). They are in the government and not in the government.”
Mahathir, chairman of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM), added his party would wait until such time when PAS became clearer on its political stand.
“Whether they want to be by themselves or with Umno or with us, the opposition which includes of course Amanah and the DAP,” he said, the opposition is willing to wait for PAS to make up its mind.
Asked if he would give the Islamist party a deadline, he said: “I have to consult my committee first. We are a democratic organisation. We don’t make decisions off the cuff, all by myself.”
PAS at present is seen as an Umno-friendly party.
Observing the change in PAS, Amanah president Mohamad Sabu said the right person to ask about this change was the leader of the Islamist party itself. “Why have they become like this, that’s my question.”
PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar meanwhile reminded PAS to prioritise their objectives and make a decision that would help save the country.
“Our efforts (are) to save Malaysia. I would like to remind them (PAS) to please re-prioritise. This is our future. We have to unite in the interests of our future.”
PAS cut ties with the DAP in 2015, causing the dissolution of Pakatan Rakyat. This led to the formation of Pakatan Harapan with PAS splinter party, Amanah, PKR and DAP as the new coalition’s partners.
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Pakatan Harapan and PPBM, are hoping to contest under a single logo for the next general election to prevent three-cornered-fights.