Pahang PAS ready to field non-Muslim candidates in GE14

Pahang PAS is prepared to field three or four non-Muslim candidates for parliamentary and state seats in the upcoming 14th general election, said its state commissioner Rosli Abdul Jabar.

Malay daily Sinar Harian quoted Rosli as saying that Pahang PAS has identified a non-Muslim candidate for one parliamentary seat, while the remaining candidates would be fielded in state seats.

“Among names on our candidates list include Chinese, Indians and non-Muslim Orang Asli,” the Tanjung Lumpur assemblyperson reportedly said during a press conference, after a Pahang PAS state liaison committee meeting in Kerdau, Temerloh yesterday.

“As of now, we have identified our candidate for a parliamentary seat, while candidates for the state seats are still under consideration, and all decisions are subjected to final changes,” he said.

Rosli (photo) also said the party’s decision to field non-Muslim candidates was made in recognition of contributions made by its non-Muslim supporters through the PAS Supporters Wing.

Overall, Rosli said Pahang PAS would be contesting in 38 out of 42 state seats, and 13 out of 14 parliamentary seats through its Gagasan Sejahtera pact, with Parti Cinta Malaysia and Ikatan Sejahtera, an alliance of 200 NGOs.

He added that the party is confident of winning 25 out of the 38 contested state seats, and seven out 13 parliamentary seats.

In the last general election, Pahang PAS fielded candidates in 21 state seats and six parliamentary seats, as part of the then Pakatan Rakyat federal opposition pact.

PAS won in Tanjung Lumpur, and retained its Beserah and Kuala Semantan state seats. Since then, Kuala Semantan assemblyperson Syed Hamid Syed Mohamed left the party in 2015 to join Amanah.

PAS also won the Temerloh parliamentary seat, through party information chief Nasrudin Hassan.- Mkini