PAS NON-MUSLIM WING MEMBERS CAN CONTEST DAP SEATS, LEADER SUGGESTS

(Malay Mail Online) – PAS might put members from its 4,000-strong non-Muslim wing in seats traditionally contested by DAP in future elections, newly-elected central working committee member Dr Zuhdi Marzuki suggested today.

According to the PAS Research Centre operating director, PAS will now seek to strengthen its ranks to penetrate the two voter demographics it previously shied away from — the non-Malays, and non-Muslim Bumiputeras in Sabah and Sarawak.

“The role played by DHPP is becoming more important, amid PAS exploring a relationship of understanding with the natives of Sabah and Sarawak,” Zuhdi said in a statement, referring to the non-Muslim wing PAS Supporters’ Congress.

“Not impossible that PAS will start putting candidates in non-Malay majority seats that have become DAP’s traditional seats now.”

Yesterday, Malay Mail Online reported that PAS has found new appreciation for its supporters wing as an avenue to court non-Muslim votes, which it must now attempt on its own after choosing to sever ties with Pakatan Rakyat ally DAP.

This was evident in its 61st Muktamar, or annual congress that ended on Saturday, where several PAS top leaders sang the praises of the DHPP for staying steadfast with the party’s struggles and compared the wing’s “unparalleled” loyalty to that of DAP, especially in issues relating to hudud.

The 4,000-strong DHPP started off as the PAS Supporters Club prior to the 2008 general election, and was later upgraded to its current wing status in 2010.

On Saturday, PAS approved a motion to stay in PR but cut ties with DAP without debate, but secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ali insisted this still needs the endorsement of its advisory Syura Council.

The decision, however, has cemented fears that PR is on the brink of dissolution, with consequences mostly felt in Selangor where the legislative assembly would be hung if either PAS or the DAP leaves the PR administration.

PAS had made inroads with non-Muslim voters by banding together with PKR and DAP in 2008, which saw the group supporting the Islamist party during its campaign and voting for its candidates during Election 2013 the popular vote victory.