'Gerakan Tanah Air can improve welfare of Malays, unlike PAS'

The Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA) pact can improve the economic standing and future of the Malay community - something Islamist party PAS failed to achieve, alleges Armin Baniaz Pahamin.

The GTA central executive council member said many require assistance after they were left economically devastated by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“GTA is a coalition meant to change the fate and future of the Malay community, and not a political gimmick per se.

“Post-pandemic poverty is a reality that has to be accepted and handled. It will not solve itself without government action,” he said.

Armin added that if PAS really cared about the welfare of the Malay race, it would work with GTA to change the community’s economic landscape.

He also said only unity can change the fate of the Malay race.

GTA central executive council member Armin Baniaz Pahamin

He was responding to a statement by PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan who said the Islamist party will not join GTA as it is not a dominant pact, and already has an alliance of its own.

For the record, GTA, which last week submitted an application to be formally registered with the Registrar of Societies (RoS), consists of Dr Mahathir Mohamad-led Pejuang, Ibrahim Ali’s Putra, PAS-splinter group Berjasa, and National Indian Muslim Alliance Party (Iman).

Look at Kelantan

Armin, who is also Pejuang’s economic bureau chairperson, noted that poverty is a prominent issue in PAS-led Kelantan, where many children are forced to drop out of school to work to help support their families.

“The structure of the Kelantan state government is also unable to generate income for the administration and create job opportunities. The state government is forced to pawn logging lands and give out sand mining permits.

“In addition, the state government also privatises public parking lots, which charge fees way higher than those in more developed states.

“These exorbitant charges do not benefit the state administration. Instead, they enrich private companies and burden the people,” he said.

According to Armin, strengthening the Malay community’s economic standing is one of GTA’s main priorities.

He noted that his coalition consists of Malay individuals and NGOs with various fields of expertise and skill sets, some of whom are policymakers, and this could be a catalyst for a new economic structure being introduced.

“We believe that PAS supporters and members are themselves tired of the water supply issues in Kelantan and Kedah, and want a government that can handle the problem better.

“PAS has clearly failed to address the issue. Change is only possible when the Malays unite,” he said. - Mkini