PAS’ ‘third bloc’ motivated by ‘dedak’, says Ramasamy

The Islamic party is trying to divide Malay support for Pakatan Harapan by forming another opposition bloc sans DAP and Amanah, says P Ramasamy.

(FMT) – PAS’s push for a so-called “third opposition bloc” in Selangor is an attempt to split Malay support for Pakatan Harapan, DAP deputy secretary-general P Ramasamy said today.

This was after PAS had invited all opposition aligned parties, except DAP and Amanah, to a “mega ceramah” slated for tonight.

Ramasamy, who is Penang deputy chief minister II, said the so-called third bloc was being called for at the behest of Umno.

“PAS is clearly trying to split the Malays. The Islamist party is doing this as a result of eating too much ‘dedak’ from Umno. (Dedak is the Malay term for animal feed, a euphemism often used to describe bribes).

“I hope PKR, PPBM and others don’t fall for this red herring and into a trap.

“If you want to work with PAS after all this time, I think we are in serious trouble,” Ramasamy said when contacted by FMT today.

PAS will hold a ceramah in Paya Jaras, Selangor, tonight featuring leaders from PKR, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM), and Parti Ikatan Bangsa Malaysia (Ikatan) as speakers.

The omission of DAP and Amanah was deliberate. According to Selangor assemblyman Khairuddin Othman, the two parties were not welcomed as they were not allies of PAS.

In the Selangor assembly, there are 13 PAS members in the Pakatan Harapan coalition, while two former PAS members jumped to Amanah. Pakatan Harapan members, comprising PKR, DAP and Amanah, hold a simple majority of 29 seats there.

While DAP acrimoniously split with PAS over the hudud issue, Amanah was formed by a group of former PAS members. They are now regarded by PAS as turncoats of their “liberal” faction.

Meanwhile, Ramasamy said only one opposition bloc, the Pakatan Harapan, could overthrow Barisan Nasional (BN) in the next polls.

“There can be only one bloc, one bloc against BN. Let’s be sensible. I am sure PKR and PPBM will not be baited by PAS.

“PAS is doing all the dirty work for Umno, under its instruction to split PKR and PPBM from DAP and Amanah.

“Even PPBM chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad has said PAS is a confused party. I hope everyone else in the opposition does not get confused as well.” he said.