PETALING JAYA: PAS may speak and present itself as “more moderate than the moderate” but the party’s track record clearly shows that it is anything but, an Umno vice-president said.
Khaled Nordin said PAS may appear moderate nowadays but that was not because of its ideology or political approach.
“It’s because PAS is aware that it has to be moderate to be invited to be part of the government,” he said in a statement.
He was responding to reports that quoted PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, who touted Perikatan Nasional as a coalition of non-extremists and the antidote to Barisan Nasional’s weaknesses, which had begun to show after it was in power for decades.
Khaled said BN had always stood firm in supporting Malaysia’s diversity, which is why it had never joined other coalitions in an attempt to look moderate.
“Look at PAS’ track record. What alliances has it not joined to soften its radical image, including embracing DAP as an ally,” he said.
He pointed out that since BN was not part of PN, Hadi had indirectly insinuated that BN was an extreme coalition.
“Of course, this opinion is not true. BN is not an extremist party nor does it support extremism.
“If it were, how could Malaysians pick BN for 61 years and not PAS. I think everyone knows the answer.”
In PAS and PN’s eyes, BN has its weakness, he said.
“But the weakness is not because it’s an extreme party. BN may have its extreme side but it is with reason and solid ground. BN’s extremism is in defending Malaysia’s pluralism.
“BN is extreme when fighting those who betray the people’s mandate and who insult democracy.
“BN is extreme in bringing back democracy and healing Malaysia the best it can.”
He also noted that PAS had never won big in any general election.
“This is because Malays and Malaysians in general view PAS as a party with extreme Islamic ideologies.
“They are not confident of PAS being able to offer a solution to Malaysia’s complex plurality,” he said. - FMT
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