PETALING JAYA: Islamic party PAS has sought to reassure non-Muslims fearful of its presence in a coalition government by denying that it would use its added advantage to implement policies that will oppress non-Muslims.
PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan said the party will continue to make collective decisions with other parties that will form a new coalition government.
The party would uphold the Islamic principle of “no compulsion in religion”, where nobody can force a non-Muslim to convert to Islam against their will, Takiyuddin said.
“We deny claims by certain quarters that PAS will use its added advantage to implement policies that will oppress others, especially those in Sarawak and Sabah where its people coexist peacefully in accordance with their respective cultures and religions,” he said in a statement.
FMT reported earlier that there was discord in Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), whose 23 seats could decide the shape of the coalition setting up a new government.
One GPS member told FMT that some were fearful of the prospect of working alongside PAS, whose president Abdul Hadi Awang had earned the ire of Sarawakians in the past over comments he had made.
Yesterday, GPS chairman Abang Johari Openg said the grouping will join an alliance of Perikatan Nasional, Barisan Nasional and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah to establish a government.
However, BN has said no talks had been held with GPS or PN on a coalition government. BN and PH leaders held a meeting today on a possible alliance.
Earlier today, GRS, which won six parliamentary seats, reiterated its support for PN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin to become the next prime minister.
No single coalition won a parliamentary majority in the general election on Saturday.
PAS won 49 of the 73 seats under Perikatan Nasional, while Pakatan Harapan won 82 and Barisan Nasional 30, while GRS holds 23 seats and Warisan 3. Two independents were also elected MPs.