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Wednesday, September 19, 2018

Tread lightly, PAS not as stupid as Umno, PH told


DAP’s Klang MP Charles Santiago sees PAS as a formidable opponent.
PETALING JAYA: Klang MP Charles Santiago has urged the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government to exercise caution over the possibility of a political alliance between Umno and PAS, saying the Islamist party is “not as stupid” as Umno.
The three-term DAP politician said it was a given that Umno was now “finished”, and recommended that PH focus on handling PAS.
“Don’t fall into their trap, thinking it is Umno leading PAS,” he said in a recent interview with FMT.
“Even if they form a loose coalition with any of the opposition parties, Umno or otherwise, it is PAS that will be dominant. They’re not stupid.
“PAS is much smarter than Umno. Najib Razak may have cut off their hands and legs before, but it’s PAS that is taking the reins now,” Santiago added. “If we lose in the next general election, it will be to PAS.”
For decades, PAS and Umno were at loggerheads with each other despite being part of the same ruling coalition some 46 years ago during the Alliance days.
Ties between them began thawing last year, with Umno and PAS leaders sharing the same stage on several occasions. Their relationship further strengthened after the May 9 polls, most notably in the Sungai Kandis and Seri Setia by-elections where they made way for each other to contest and supported each other’s candidates.
Earlier this month, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and other leaders from the party and Barisan Nasional showed up at a PAS ceramah in a historic first. They also attended PAS’ annual general meeting several days ago.
Zahid said the cooperation between PAS and Umno was “not just rhetoric” but a surefire way to challenge PH in future elections. He also said the two parties would be working closely together in the future.
Santiago said it had become necessary to keep PAS in check now that PH formed the federal government. He added that the Islamist party had become “somewhat of an issue” in the states it controls.
“They’ve made it seem like their version of Islam is the one true interpretation. It’s not.
“This is why you need to keep them in check. At the end of the day, PAS calls the shots.”
Santiago, who is also a human rights activist, said PAS’ role as a “superpower” was clear in the recent caning of two women in Terengganu for illicit relations, which he said even the prime minister had not been able to stop.
The fact that the Prison Department which carried out the caning was under the purview of the home ministry underscored how powerful PAS was, Santiago added.
He said PH must become more stern in its decisions and not shy away from controversy.
“We can’t be worried about whether PAS attacks us or not. Just because it’s about religion doesn’t mean you push it to a corner.
“Do things by the rule of law,” he said. - FMT

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