PAS says Zahid needs to remedy 'unhealthy' arrogance

PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan said Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s statement that the party would fly solo if it wins big in the Johor state election was unwelcome.

Takiyuddin (above, left) said it would be wise to show kindness and compassion in any situation while arrogance should be corrected.

“Even though we succeeded in one segment, goodwill (ehsan) and cooperation are still the wise moves in all situations, what more when we need the goodwill from other segments.

“Arrogance is an unhealthy ego in need of repair,” Takiyuddin said on Twitter, referring to an article on Zahid’s statement which he shared.

Meski kita berjaya dalam satu segmen, berehsan dan bekerjasama tetap suatu langkah bijaksana dalam semua keadaan, apatah lagi tatkala kita masih menumpang ehsan dalam satu segmen yang lain.. “Arrogance is an unhealthy ego in need of repair”. pic.twitter.com/eTEQI47juM

— Takiyuddin Hassan (@takiyuddin61) March 13, 2022

Prior to the announcement of BN’s win in the Johor elections, Zahid had said that the coalition was prepared to sign a deal with the opposition if it wins. 

However, he says this may not be necessary if BN could capture a two-thirds majority.

“Our door is always open to cooperate with any registered parties. But if we get two-thirds, then cooperation would be meaningless,” he was quoted as saying.

Even though Zahid said it would be unnecessary to cooperate with others if BN wins big, he suggested that the coalition could still “support” opposition assemblypersons by providing allocations.

Results accepted with ‘open heart’

Meanwhile, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang said the party, along with other Perikatan Nasional (PN) components, will continue to serve the people based on the increasing show of support from voters in the constituencies they contested in Johor.

He said that although PN only won three seats, the coalition accepted the election results with an open heart. 

Last night, BN won the Johor election by a landslide, acquiring a total of 40 seats, above the 38-seat threshold required for a two-thirds majority in the 56-member Johor state assembly. 

The landslide win allows BN to govern alone without PN’s backing.

BN leaders celebrating the coalition’s win in the Johor state election

Prior to the state election, BN only had 16 seats and had to govern with the support of another 12 seats from PN.

In this snap election, PN only won three seats. Bersatu won two seats while PAS took one.

Pakatan Harapan and its allies won a total of 13 seats. Ten seats were won by DAP while PKR, Amanah, and Muda won one each.

Ties between PAS and Umno have been deteriorating since the Islamist party chose to join Bersatu in the PN coalition.

Tensions came to a boil prior to the Johor polls, with PAS and Umno issuing back-and-forth public statements admonishing each other.

PAS, Umno, and Bersatu are all currently part of the federal government.

BN’s landslide win in Johor is expected to add momentum to the push by Umno’s grassroots to dissolve Parliament and pave the way for a general election.

The highly anticipated Umno general assembly will also take place in the coming week. - Mkini