‘The gap between sincerity and stupidity is as thin as onion skin’ — Sanusi on giving away winnable seats

KOTA BHARU – Pas has been urged to stop handing winnable seats to other component parties and instead stand firm on its own strengths ahead of the next election.

Pas Central Election Director Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor stressed that the 75-year-old party should not feel inferior to newer parties, particularly when it comes to political cooperation and seat negotiations.

He said Pas must be bold in determining and defending seats that have strong potential to be won, and avoid repeating the practice of giving away seats that belong to the party.

“We will determine which seats are appropriate and which can be won by Pas. We must not give those seats to anyone.

“If a seat belongs to us and we can win it, we give it to others, while we take the seats we are likely to lose. That is what you call sincerity bordering on stupidity.

“The gap between sincerity and stupidity is very close, only as thin as onion skin. Don’t take the stupid option, being sincere is fine,” he said.

He said this during his winding-up speech on the President’s Policy Address at the 72nd Pas Annual Muktamar at the Pusat Tarbiah Islamiah Kelantan (PUTIK), Pengkalan Chepa here on Saturday.

Sanusi, who is also Kedah Menteri Besar, likened Pas to an “elephant party” that should not be anxious or follow the lead of newer parties, which he compared to cats.

“Do not be humble towards those who are not humble. This is Pas’ problem – it feels inferior. Do not feel inferior to those who think highly of themselves.

“Pas has now become an elephant party, yet suddenly, when a cat comes along with two or three kittens, it becomes afraid.

“Don’t follow that cat. It has only just started living! It was formed just two days ago, then it looks up and invites us, and we follow it. That’s not right.

“People who have problems also come to us. They want medicine and ask us to blow on them, so we help them. Once they become healthy, don’t climb onto our backs either.

“Just speak honestly. Don’t be afraid. What is there to be ashamed of? We have been around for 75 years, yet we are afraid of a party that is two days old… Why?” he questioned.

Elaborating, Sanusi warned that being overly accommodating would only reduce Pas to merely an election machinery for winning seats for candidates from other parties.

“Then their party becomes big, while our party becomes small. They become the candidate, and we become the machinery. We’re doomed like that.

“Just speak frankly, don’t hide things. We waste our time feeling inferior to those who are merely riding on our support, while we feel inferior to them.

“We give them our bedroom to sleep in, while we sleep in the living room… How does that make sense?” he said.

He also reminded party leaders and negotiators to be bold in defending the party’s position during seat negotiations.

“Speak frankly, speak your mind, as the English say. Don’t give up (the seats) and regret it later. Give everything to others and then regret it, coming here to sit and lament.

“The delegates speak about it, the debates speak about it, but when you sit down to negotiate, you feel inferior. Then you come back here regretting it. Stop doing these things,” he said firmly.

Meanwhile, Sanusi called on the party’s machinery in all states to intensify grassroots efforts without waiting for Parliament to be dissolved.

He also urged Pas elected representatives to remain committed to serving and engaging with the people in their respective constituencies.

“Continue serving. Don’t look for ways to play around in Kuala Lumpur. Election work does not mean waiting for Parliament to be dissolved, we need the support of the people,” he said.