Twice divorced, PAS hopes third marriage will last longer

In 2001, DAP severed ties with PAS citing irreconcilable differences with the latter’s theocratic ambitions.

Fourteen years later, their second marriage fell apart on similar grounds.

But it appears that DAP and PAS, despite their diametrically-opposed ideologies, share a love-hate relationship, which could make a third union possible in the future.

Newly-minted PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man also chose to look at the latest divorce from a positive angle.

He pointed out that their second marriage, which took place in 2008 after a seven-year separation, lasted longer than the first.

"So if there is a third time, it is hoped the cooperation will last longer than the previous one," he added in a media statement.

However, Tuan Ibrahim expressed disappointment with DAP's continued attacks on PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang and slander that the Islamic party wants to work with Umno.

"It would be better for DAP to train its attacks on Umno which controls the federal government," he said.

Furthermore, the PAS leader said nobody could predict what would happen in the future, where a defeat now could be a blessing in disguise later and vice-versa.

"Who expected Umno’s massive electoral victory in 2004 would serve as a gateway for the party to lose popular votes now?

"Let history decide (the outcome of present events)," he added.

On the same note, Tuan Ibrahim stressed PAS would continue to be guided by its policies and principles as well as maintain its cooperation with PKR.

Yesterday, another PAS leader Mustafa Ali also refused to accept DAP's declaration that Pakatan Rakyat is dead.

The party election director claimed that the opposition coalition had merely "pengsan" or fainted.

Mustafa too had not discounted the possibility of PAS and DAP joining hands once again, stating that no political party can operate in isolation.