Kelantan PAS leaders sceptical over cooperation with Pribumi
(The Star) – Two senior PAS leaders have expressed scepticism that the Islamist party can cooperate with Parti Bersatu Pribumi Malaysia after its chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s rejection of PAS’ struggle all this while.
PAS deputy spiritual adviser and Kelantan Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob (pix) said Dr Mahathir had frequently crossed swords when he was prime minister with the late spiritual adviser and Mentri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat.
“To date, there have been no discussions on political cooperation with Pribumi and as it stands we only have political cooperation with PKR and Parti Ikatan Bangsa Malaysia (Ikatan).
“If there were any decision on it, I have not been informed but as far as I know, the Syura Council has not made any decision,” Ahmad told reporters after chairing the state exco meeting Wednesday.
He was commenting on talks between the two parties to come under one opposition banner ahead of the general election.
PAS vice-president Datuk Mohd Amar Abdullah concurred with Ahmad, saying DAP and Dr Mahathir belonged with each other.
“DAP is known to be anti-Islam and Mahathir has always been against PAS in its struggle to champion Islam.
“But we never know. At the moment, I have been informed that an important meeting of top leaders (from PAS and Pribumi) has been fixed.
“I do not know where the meeting will be held or whether party president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang will attend, but what I am sure of is that the meeting will chart the direction for our party for the general election,” he added.
Mohd Amar, who is deputy mentri besar, said political cooperation with DAP “is no more an issue and all doors have been closed for good”.
“PAS has been duped twice by DAP.
“The first time was in the Barisan Alternative opposition coalition pact when DAP backstabbed PAS over Kelantan becoming an Islamic state.
“The second was over the hudud issue, which led to the disintegration of Pakatan Rakyat.
“In my opinion, PAS is better off alone, and with help from pro-PAS non-governmental organisations, Ikatan and PKR, we will weather the storm with or without DAP,” he said.
Pribumi is keeping its doors open for PAS despite the ultimatum given to the Islamist party to join the Opposition.
Dr Mahathir said Pribumi, led by deputy president Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, would meet PAS on Feb 2 to decide on whether the Islamist party would be part of the Opposition bloc.
