PPBM-PAS pact D-Day on Feb 2

PETALING JAYA: The meeting between Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) and PAS on Thursday is expected to set the nation’s political stage, says former law minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim.

In his blog yesterday, Zaid described the effort by PPBM to forge a pact with PAS as political manoeuvring that he is unable to grasp.

“Feb 2 will see whether PAS will cooperate with PPBM for the 14th general election. While I am uncertain as to the type of alliance both parties are expected to forge, I hope they will inform the public whether their endeavour succeeds or not,” he said.

However, the former Kota Baru MP claimed PPBM will not be able to guarantee PAS will not field candidates in seats that Amanah, DAP and PKR are vying for in the next general election.

“Obviously Amanah and DAP will not be part of the discussion. Both parties are like enemies to PAS and cannot be forgiven. For PAS, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is useless and they had demanded him to repent instead,” he said.

As such, he questioned PPBM’s motive to work with PAS despite the Islamic party’s criticism of Mahathir, who is PPBM chairman.

“It seems that PPBM is fine with their leader being humiliated just because they want a ‘straight fight’ with Umno.”

Zaid opined that from the meeting, it is expected that PPBM would consider a straight fight with Umno as one where PAS does not contest and vice-versa.

“Therefore, PPBM would have no issue about PAS going up against Umno in three-cornered fights that involve Amanah, DAP or PKR.