We are Muafakat’s founders, so asking if we want to stay is moot, PAS sec-gen tells Perak MB

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 31 — PAS should not have to declare publicly if it wants to remain in Muafakat Nasional (MN), as the Islamist party is one of the pact’s main founders, its secretary-general Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan said.

His statement today, though not explicitly naming anyone, appears to be in response to a remark by Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Saarani Mohamad, who had reportedly asked PAS to state its party direction clearly, as to whether it wants to be in MN or Perikatan Nasional (PN).

News portal Free Malaysia Today (FMT) reported Saarani as saying that this is to prevent a repeat of what transpired after the Sabah state polls in September which was won by PN via the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) alliance, which PAS was not a part of.

The party had stayed out of the state election, allowing its partner Barisan Nasional (BN) and GRS led by peninsula-based Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) to campaign.

“PAS stands firm with the MN agreement, which was formed between Umno and PAS on September 14, 2019, which among others, agreed to forge cooperation by expanding the Islamic and Malay narrative, without denying the existence of the country’s many faiths, races and cultures and its core of political stability, racial harmony and national wellbeing.

“No other parties need to ask PAS to choose whether it wants to be with MN or not, as PAS is one of the main actors which planned and worked hard to form MN, on the basis of the unification of the ummah,” he said.

He also said MN can be used as a platform to strengthen not just Malay and the Islamic agenda but to engage all Malaysians of diverse creeds and races according to what is laid down in the Federal Constitution.

He said this is to develop a country that is inclusive, prosperous and ensures social justice for all.

“Therefore, PAS is of the view that MN is not the exclusive ownership of a certain party or group, an must be opened to all who love unity, harmony and justice in this country

“By maintaining a strong commitment in MN's Great Agenda, it is clear that from a political approach and strategy point of view, that no obstacle is imposed on Umno from remaining with Barisan Nasional or for PAS from joining any coalition or political cooperation.

“What's important is that the Umno-PAS combination can, and in fact has to work together with any parties with the same ambition in facing the 15th general election, in a solid understanding, especially to prevent clashes among us, which would only benefit others,” he added.