PAS wooing non-Muslims who reject DAP, Hadi says

In the 2008 and 2013 general elections, PAS' cooperation with DAP was mutually beneficial, with PAS gaining support among non-Malays who would traditionally be averse to supporting the Islamist party.

But the split between the parties is not seen as a loss to PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, who said the party now has even greater Malay support, and is even wooing non-Muslims who reject DAP.

"With our approach of mature and prosperous politics, we have successfully approached Malay-Muslim voters, and also non-Muslims who reject DAP's racist politics.

"We realise that not all non-Muslims are in favour of DAP, which is racist," Hadi said in an interview with Sinar Harian.

Hadi said the party has also succeeded in breaking down barriers with civil servants, NGOs, and others willing to meet with them.

PAS’ ties with DAP fell apart in 2015, leading to the demise of opposition coalition Pakatan Rakyat. They are now forging ahead on their own as a third force in the elections.

Political analysts have said that such a move would be detrimental to the opposition, as three-cornered fights would split opposition support, giving BN an advantage in the coming elections.

They often cite the Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar by-elections last year, which saw BN win marginal seats with a bigger majority.

Hadi, however, said these two by-elections are isolated incidents.

"The political scenario in these two constituencies does not reflect the political scenario throughout the country.

"Hence, in evaluating whether we can win or not, PAS does not just analyse based on these two scenarios, three-cornered or two-cornered," he said. - Mkini