Pas flexing muscle for GE14 seats
KUALA LUMPUR: In what could be the clearest signal of a disintegrating pact, the Pas grassroots’ latest proposal to wrest PKRheld seats reveals the end of political diplomacy between the two parties.
Universiti Utara Malaysia political and international studies senior lecturer Md Shukri Shuib said the proposal, which was announced by Pas vice-president Idris Ahmad on Sunday, proved that Pas was a decisive winning factor for opposition parties.
“Pas’s suggestion of wanting to explore political potential in seats traditionally contested by PKR also shows that Pas does not want to have anything to do with any party that is with DAP in Pakatan Harapan.” Strategy-wise, Shukri said, Idris’s announcement was a reflection of Pas’s need to show that it was an emerging “third force” in politics.
“This can be seen as a way for Pas to seek ‘revenge’ against PKR for working with Pas splinter Parti Amanah Negara (PAN).”
It was reported that Pas aimed to contest 80 parliamentary seats in the 14th General Election and did rule out the possibility of contesting seats traditionally contested by DAP and PKR.
Idris said the number of seats and the areas had not been finalised and details were being worked out by the party’s election machinery.
Seats that Pas wants include Lembah Pantai, Batu, Setiawangsa and Segambut.
PKR vice-president and Batu member of parliament Tian Chua, when contacted yesterday, was optimistic that Pas would not take PKR’s seats.
Asked whether he welcomed Pas to contest in his constituen- cy, he said: “It will be a negotiation between friends.”
He denied that Pas’s plans to contest in PKR-held seats signalled the end of PKR-Pas ties, saying that both parties enjoyed a cordial relationship.
It was reported that a number of Pas divisions had approved a motion to sever ties with PKR as the latter refused to end its cooperation with DAP for insulting the Pas leadership.
The Pas Motion Council would decide whether to accept or reject the motion, which would be debated at the Pas muktamar slated to be held at the end of the month.
PKR and DAP are part of the new opposition bloc Pakatan Harapan alongside PAN and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia.
Pas and PKR had formed a pact to retain Selangor following the dissolution of Pakatan Rakyat.