KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 13 — PAS will not join Barisan Nasional (BN) but this does not mean the Islamist party is forbidden from meeting members of the ruling coalition or holding discussions together, according to Hashim Jasin.
The newly-appointed PAS spiritual advisor was quoted by news portal Malaysiakini today as saying that his party would be willing to meet other parties even though they might be political enemies.
"For PAS, although they may be enemies, our religion does not stop us from meeting and talking.
"So now they (BN) want to talk to us. We are prepared to hear them out and they should hear what we have to say," Hashim reportedly said.
"But don't accuse us of joining BN. We have decided (against it)," Hashim added.
PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang recently expressed intentions to cooperate with Pakatan Harapan to ensure straight fights against BN in the coming general elections.
He, however, added a caveat that that negotiations can only go on if opposition parties do not interfere in PAS’s internal affairs.
PAS has previously said that it will not be part of any grand Opposition coalition if it includes DAP or Amanah, founded by former PAS rebels.
After the dissolution of Pakatan Rakyat about a year ago, PAS had formed its own coalition last August with Parti Ikatan Bangsa Malaysia, formerly known as Gagasan Sejahtera, but said it would still be open to cooperation with Pakatan Harapan parties.
