PAS-Pakatan ties unbreakable
PAS vice president Salahuddin Ayub says that the decision to remain in Pakatan Rakyat is endorsed by the Syura Council, thus there is no need to review it.
PETALING JAYA: PAS vice president Salahuddin Ayub said that the Islamist party will remain in Pakatan Rakyat, despite calls by some party leaders to review ties with the opposition pact.“The decision to be with Pakatan is endorsed by the Syura Council, the highest decision making body in PAS. So there is no need to review our ties,” he said.
On September 16, PAS Dewan Ulama chief Harun Taib urged the party leaders to review ties with Pakatan.
The PAS leader said it was nothing unusual to review its ties with Pakatan from time to time; and reiterated that the process does not mean the party needs to leave the opposition pact.
“We have no problems with DAP. We should review ties with PKR,” Harun was reported saying.
But the calls were shot down by PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu. The party’s influential spiritual leader Nik Aziz Nik Mat also shot down the idea but welcomed a review on the pact, to strengthen the opposition bloc.
Asked on why Harun made such a call in the first place, Salahuddin defended the ulama leader saying that a review does not necessarily mean it was a process to take PAS out of Pakatan.
“The word review itself has got positive and negative connotations to it. Having said that, the leadership understands that the only way we can move forward is by creating a strong two party system,” he said.
PAS for all
On whether PAS would allow full membership to non-Muslims following the huge support it received from the group in the recent general election, Salahuddin was coy on the matter.
“For now, we have the PAS Supporters Wing (DHPP) for non-Muslims. It is a good way for us to position ourselves among non-Muslims.
“Moving forward, our challenge is to keep ourselves relevant at all times among all Malaysians. Let’s see who the new leaders are picked after the muktamar (party polls),” he said.
Further pressed if PAS would create or reserve one vice president’s post for a non-Muslim if they are given full membership, Salahuddin said, “we will cross the bridge when it comes. For now, our focus is to educate non-Muslims that PAS will always protect their rights.
For that matter, the PAS leader said that the DHPP would need to play a role in educating non-Muslims on how Islam practices fair play and justice for all.
“Our challenge now is to maintain the support we received from non-Muslims and increase support from Muslims,” said Salahuddin.
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