PAS, once seen as a party for rural voters, has expanded its reach to emerge as the biggest political force after the last general election, securing 43 parliamentary seats, while its traditional rival Umno, once regarded as an impregnable fortress, has experienced the opposite.
Highlighting Umno’s dwindling fortunes, PAS vice-president Idris Ahmad did the math to remind Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi of the party’s current standing.
“GE 2004: 109 seats, GE 2008: 79 seats, GE 2013: 88 seats, GE 2018: 54 seats. GE 2022 (GE15): 26 seats.
“The trend is clear. Umno peaked in 2004 and then declined gradually until it was left with only 26 seats in GE15,” he added in a Facebook post.
Idris (above) was responding to Zahid recalling the words of the late PAS spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, who said the Islamist party would dissolve if Umno placed Islam as the foundation of its constitution.
Zahid, who is also the deputy prime minister, said the first thing he did after taking over Umno’s leadership was to place Islam in the party’s constitution, and therefore, PAS should dissolve.
However, Idris suggested that, as Malaysia is a democratic nation, the two parties can compete in elections instead of asking each other to dissolve.
“Let us compete on the democratic stage. Not by fighting with fists or throwing chairs. That is another culture. Ha ha. Let us compete through arguments, ideas, and moral conduct as politicians. Let the people judge who deserves their choice,” he added.
‘Why need cabinet consent?’
Idris also found it strange that Zahid claimed Umno is prepared to invite PAS to work within an organisation focusing on an Islamic agenda outside of politics, and that the proposal was approved by the cabinet.
“Eh, is that really true? Since when do party political agendas require cabinet approval?
“Even more interesting, Umno, which has a membership strength of around 3.5 million people - why does its political agenda, as the so-called ‘big brother,’ need cabinet consent?
“Moreover, that cabinet includes DAP ministers. Umno members themselves surely understand DAP’s views towards Umno and the Islamic agenda. You know it, I know it,” he added.
Idris said PAS, on the other hand, remains steadfast in its principles - speaking about Islam without needing anyone’s approval and leaving the final judgment to the people.
Yesterday, Zahid, who is expected to announce the establishment of an organisation outside the political arena on the final day of the Umno general assembly this Saturday, said the organisation, which obtained cabinet approval, was his brainchild. - Mkini
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