KOTA BARU, June 1 ― PAS Youth chief Nik Mohamad Abdul Nik Abdul Aziz disclosed today that the Islamist party might be linking up politically with Penang-based Parti Cinta Malaysia (PCM).
He said PCM leaders had shown a very respectful attitude towards PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang’s legislative proposal to strengthen the Shariah courts punitive powers.
“That is what we want. PCM said the non-Muslims should keep an open mind on this matter,” he told a news conference during his wing’s muktamar here.
“They are very respectful, and we need to be respectful to each other,” he added.
PCM vice president Huan Cheng Guan, an outspoken critic of Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng, attended the opening of the PAS Youth Muktamar.
PAS had formally formed a partnership with little-known Parti Ikatan Bangsa Malaysia (Ikatan) former Umno minister Tan Sri Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir earlier this year, in a bid to carve what it touted as the ‘third bloc” as an alternative to the existing ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) and opposition Pakatan Harapan pact.
Nik Abduh said PAS only had one condition for its allies.
“Our only condition is to be respectful. That is why there are plenty of discussions going on with PCM now,” he said.
Both Ikatan and PCM do not hold any state or parliamentary seats following the last general elections.
Ikatan was only legalised last year despite being initially formed in 2012.
