‘PAS dithering on its policies’

It's because of a widespread belief among the cleric circle that Pakatan Rakyat may not make it to Putrajaya, claims Kelantan opposition leader.

KOTA BARU: PAS seems to be doing a U-turn on Anwar Ibrahim being appointed prime minister if Pakatan Rakyat wins, said Kelantan opposition leader Md Alwi Che Ahmad.

“Something unsavoury seems to be brewing in Pakatan,” said Alwi.

He said that the reversal in some its policies is due to a widespread belief among the cleric circle that Pakatan Rakyat may not make it to Putrajaya.

“Anwar also comes with a lot of baggage. This has all contributed to PAS wavering on certain common issues despite having earlier consented to it,” said Alwi.

Alwi was responding to a statement by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang that the party would consider withdrawing from Pakatan if they see the rights of Malays and Muslims affected.

Among the U-turns are the rejection of Pakatan’s approval for non-Muslims to be allowed to use the “Allah”, the common agreement that Anwar be made prime minister and the uncertainty over seats allocation in frontline states such as Johor, Kedah and Penang.

Alwi speculated that perhaps in this coming election, every party outside of Barisan Nasional thinks they have a strong shot to become dominant players in the country’s political scene.

“Perhaps, this is why PAS seems to be jostling for a position of self-interest rather than on a larger focus of Pakatan,” he said.

“If negotiation is needed to form a government with neither side enjoying a strong majority, political parties prefer to discuss from a position of strength.”

Temporary pact

PAS is one of the oldest parties and it has seen its fair share of victories and disappointments knowing fully well there is such a thing called a “pendulum swing”.

Another factor which Alwi pointed out, is that PAS has long ignored its Islamist goals after the euphoria of winning in the 2008 election, where it clinched a record number of seats.

“The party was sucked into a liberalism movement, something which their own grassroots cannot digest or comprehend,” he said.

“One compromise after another by PAS, has led to a stalemate in Pakatan, as their differing ideologies has taken a toll on their willingness to see each other as an inclusive partner.

“PKR seems to championing its anti-corruption drive, DAP, its Malaysian Malaysia and Chinese-centric issues while PAS is pursuing its Islamist goals.

“It is hardly any resemblance of an alliance. It is more of a temporary pact where winning is everything while governing or responsibility has take a backseat.”

Does this augur well for Barisan Nasional (BN)?

“It is up to the voters to decide if they want to take a chance with an unproven alliance at odds over their own policies or opt for stability as provided by BN,” said Alwi.