GEORGE TOWN, March 16 — DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng suggested today that the new alliance between PAS and Parti Ikatan Bangsa Malaysia (Ikatan) will not work out to the opposition’s advantage, as a vote for the partnership may instead be seen as support for Umno.

As the two opposition parties announced their get-together in Kuala Lumpur today, Lim who is also Penang chief minister pointed out that PAS has been supportive of Umno, adding that a vote for the Islamist party indirectly indicates backing for the Barisan Nasional (BN).

“There’s the question of whether a vote for PAS means it’s a vote for Umno,” he said.

Lim also said PAS has every right to set up a “third force” but it must be inclusive in order to bring change.

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“If the third force is not inclusive, then how to bring about change. I think that third force will not have any relevance or significance if it is not inclusive, not firm against corruption and not able to show they are competent,” he added.

He reminded the people that PAS does not have a good track record in running a government especially looking at the way it managed Kelantan.

He claimed the state had run up high debts, was unable to resolve the flood victims’ issues one year after the flood and the massive illegal logging and tree clearing in the state.

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PAS announced its newfound opposition alliance with Ikatan today, calling it a “third force” in Malaysian politics.

Lim also said PAS has not explained its attitude towards women and does not respect women especially working women.

“They’ve not explained if they are firm in fighting corruption, against the 1MDB financial scandal and they have not shown they are able to run a better government than Barisan Nasional,” he said.

Lim further said he does not want to say if the new pact will be considered as a rival to opposition pact Pakatan Harapan as this is entirely up to the people to decide.