(Sept 14): PAS, the party holding the most seats in Parliament, said it will not work with the ruling coalition of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim after months of speculation of a tie-up.
The party said it would stand firm with the opposition and champion Islamic issues, such as banning alcohol and gambling, according to party president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang. PAS is the biggest competitor for Anwar in the battle for votes of the Malay majority, who are Muslim by law.
“It is the responsibility of all Muslims, particularly practitioners and lawmakers, to uphold and honor the shariah law, rather than obstruct or, worse, demean it,” said Hadi at the party’s annual gathering in Pahang.
The next general election must be held by 2028, and Anwar has purportedly been laying the groundwork by courting PAS to increase his credibility among the Malays. He has reportedly held talks with PAS leaders, stirring speculation of political cooperation and triggering some unease within his coalition of liberals, regional groups and a Chinese-dominant party.
Last year, Anwar's administration cancelled a concert after two members of a British band 1975 shared a same-sex kiss on stage, and banned Swatch watches that showcase Pride colours.
PAS is part of the Perikatan Nasional bloc, which has faced setbacks in recent months. The opposition coalition lost a seat in a recent by-election in the PAS stronghold of Kelantan, some of the bloc’s lawmakers have switched sides to back Anwar, and its chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin faces several court cases.
Still, PAS has vowed to push on. Secretary general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan said on Saturday that PAS aims to capture Pahang in the next general election. The party already controls four states.
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