Muhyiddin confident Bersatu can win non-Malay support without PAS

 The Bersatu president says the party previously struggled to win non-Malay support because some voters were uncomfortable with PAS's style of politics.

Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin said Bersatu’s slate of non-Malay candidates for the Aug 1 Negeri Sembilan election reflected the party’s independence from PAS.

NILAI:

Muhyiddin Yassin says Bersatu is confident it can attract more non-Malay support now that it is no longer working with PAS.

The Bersatu president also suggested that PAS had hampered Bersatu’s efforts to win over non-Malay voters because many in the community were “afraid of PAS’s style of politics”.

The former prime minister also said Bersatu’s slate of non-Malay candidates for the Aug 1 Negeri Sembilan election reflected the party’s independence from PAS.

“I hope we can (attract non-Malay support). Previously, there was a problem, and I understand why many non-Malays were afraid of PAS’s political approach. But now, we are no longer with PAS,” he said at a press conference after announcing Bersatu’s candidates for the Negeri Sembilan state election.

“So this is the right time for non-Malays, and even Malays who are not comfortable with PAS’s style of politics, to support us.

“If any non-Muslims still have doubts, I want to make it clear that there are no PAS elements in Bersatu. Bersatu’s non-Malay candidates are from our associate wing and they represent all races.”

Asked whether Bersatu would leave Perikatan Nasional (PN) following its plan to form a new coalition after the state election, Muhyiddin said the party remained a member of the PAS-led opposition alliance.

However, he said efforts to establish a new political pact were under way through a series of discussions with leaders of parties in Ikatan Prihatin Rakyat (IPR).

“At this point, I can only say that we remain a member of PN. But we have certain strategies that we will pursue going forward, especially in preparation for the 16th general election.”

PAS ended its cooperation with Bersatu last month despite both remaining in PN. The Islamic party did not campaign for Bersatu in Johor.

PAS secured an electoral pact with BN for the Negeri Sembilan election, with BN contesting 25 seats and PN 11.

Bersatu is fielding 24 candidates under its own banner. -FMT