KUALA LUMPUR – PAS has reaffirmed its stance against joining the unity government, claiming that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s administration is ramping up efforts to pull in the opposition party.
In a statement today, the party’s vice-president Datuk Idris Ahmad insisted the party and Perikatan Nasional served as the “umbrella” for Malays, as Barisan Nasional linchpin Umno has failed to appeal to the community.
“Thank you for recognising PAS’ quality. However, PAS will not be part of the unity government that is just waiting to crack,” said Idris, who is also Bagan Serai MP.
He also pointed to alleged open persuasions for the party to be part of the government as well as a recent news report claiming that an international Islamic movement was part of such attempts.
“Many may be puzzled why (Anwar) is working hard day and night to pull more support for the unity government, despite already having gained support from two thirds of MPs,” Idris said.
“New prime ministers normally have a ‘wow’ factor, but (Anwar) does not. No wonder, since his reform agenda and criticism against the government when he was in opposition has been for nought.”
Previously, a local news portal quoted a source as saying that PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang had turned down efforts by the Egypt-based Muslim Brotherhood to broker peace between him and Anwar, following the results of the 2022 general election which led to a hung Parliament.
The source alleged that a representative of the Middle Eastern organisation had allegedly made two trips to Malaysia to arrange meetings between Hadi and Anwar, but was unsuccessful.
In October, Anwar told Time Magazine that while PAS had initially rejected an invitation for the party to join the unity government, the doors remain open for a potential cooperation in the future.
Such cooperation, the prime minister stressed, hinges upon PAS’ agreement to accept major policy conditions regarding Malaysia’s multi-racial and multi-religious landscape. – December 23, 2023