Be realistic in making demands, PAS told

PETALING JAYA: PAS should first win the seats it is contesting in the coming 14th general election (GE14) in Malacca before asking for the chief minister post.

Malacca Chief Minister and state Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Idris Haron said PAS can say whatever it wants, but it should be realistic in its demands.

“Politics is about possibilities and uncertainties. As for us, we are prepared in every way for this election and have set a code – 24451, which is our vision to win the parliamentary and state seats in GE14,” he told theSun.

He was responding to a statement by Malacca PAS Commissioner Kamaruddin Sidek that the party has a condition for Pakatan Harapan (Pakatan) and BN in this coming general election, if either wants to avoid a hung government.

“If PAS only wins two seats, for instance, and Pakatan and BN win 13 seats each, both parties still need to coax PAS into joining them for a coalition government.

“When that happens, we will only agree if PAS is given the chief minister post. Or else, it’s a no from us,” he said at a forum on current affairs in Bukit Katil on Sunday.

Parti Pribumi Bersatu Information Chief Datuk Kamaruddin Md Nor said PAS’ imagination is very strong.

“Win the election first before making any demands and then we will see how.”

Efforts to reach PAS Secretary-General Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan for comments were not successful.

Political analyst Wong Chin Huat said the chief minister’s post normally goes to the largest party in the coalition government.

“If PAS emerges to be the largest party in a hung assembly, of course it would be the one to claim the chief minister post.”

However, Wong added that if it’s the smallest party, but still demands for the top job, “then all democratic voters are duty bound to deny PAS any chance to such extortion”.