MP: No room for a third force

A DAP parliamentarian is of the opinion that there is no room for a third force in the country’s political scene.

This is because it is now between whether one is pro-Najib Abdul Razak or against the prime minister.

Commenting on claims that PAS will be creating three-cornered fights in the next general election, Kluang MP Liew Chin Tong said it is still too early to speculate.

“When the line is drawn, let's say between Najib and anti-Najib forces, if Najib is still around, there is no room for a third force,” Liew said at a press conference at the DAP’s headquarters in Kuala Lumpur today.

This is because if Najib continues to lead Umno, more people would come to hate the party.

With or without PAS in the next election, however, is not a major issue, said Liew.

“The question is whether Umno can convincingly win the election. I don't think Umno can convincingly win the election without major reforms,” he said.

Another question is on how the opposition can therefore align.

“In that context, I don't think PAS is a major factor. I think the people can choose, in the context of a clear line being drawn, whether you are with Najib or not with Najib.

“I think in that sort of contest, you can see that PAS doesn't figure very clearly,” he said.

PAS last week said that come Wednesday, it will announce a new political pact with a multiracial opposition party to face the next general election.

Calling it a "third force", the party’s secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan expressed hope that the new bloc will grow in time and be an even match for Pakatan Harapan in the 2018 polls. -Mkini