Pas reviewing relationship with Bersatu - Hadi

MARANG – The relationship between Pas and Bersatu within Perikatan Nasional (PN) is like a crack waiting to split apart, as the Islamic party is now studying and examining one by one the contradictions and negative actions carried out by its coalition partner.

Its president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang said Bersatu’s action in rejecting efforts to strengthen PN by blocking the membership of Malay-Muslim parties as well as non-Islamic parties that are not extremist is something displeasing.

He said Pas wants to increase participation of component parties in the coalition to strengthen the Malay-Muslim agenda, but this move was not agreed upon by the other party.

“I will examine these matters one by one to consider further action. Elections involve gains and losses and also affect our support base.

“If it affects PN in the elections, it means we are not following what is appropriate,” he said at a press conference at his residence in Rusila on Friday.

Also present were Pas secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan, Pas president’s political secretary Mohd Syahir Sulaiman and Pas central committee member Dr Muhammad Khalil Abdul Hadi.

When asked whether Pas would contest alone in the next general election if no agreement is reached, Hadi stressed that the party would not go solo as it still holds the position of PN chairman.

However, he did not rule out any possibility regarding Bersatu’s status in the coalition ahead of the 16th General Election (GE16).

“That is a possibility that cannot be answered now because it has not happened yet. Let it happen first. In politics, there are many possibilities. For the future, Bersatu cannot act the way it did before,” he said.

On claims that Pas has been “played out” twice by Bersatu, Hadi said Pas chose to remain patient, but reminded that patience has its limits.

He also revealed that during previous state elections and by-elections, Bersatu had demanded a large number of candidates but did not have sufficient ground machinery to support them.

“They had candidates, but very few workers compared to the thousands of members they claimed to have. In the end, when we went down to the ground, it was Pas members who did most of the work. That is the reality and we take all factors into account,” he said, adding that Pas would not simply follow Bersatu’s demands on the matter.

So far, Hadi said Pas had sent a letter to Bersatu on May 9 and face-to-face discussions had also taken place in PN meetings.

Although no deadline has been set for Bersatu’s response, Pas has assigned its Syura Council, election machinery and research wing to study the issue in detail.

When asked whether the latest tension would affect PN’s performance in the next general election, the Marang MP expressed confidence that Pas’ strength would not be affected and that the party remains ready for elections at any time.

“I don’t think this will affect PN. We are still contesting under PN and Pas remains part of it.

“Pas is a key driver of Perikatan Nasional and the leadership has the right to determine the direction in elections,” he said.