There is no need to include PAS in the coalition government as not many can accept the Islamist party, said Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) president Tiong King Sing.
The tourism, arts and culture minister pointed out that non-Muslims would particularly reject the party for its views.
"The unity government does not need PAS to join, because many feel uneasy (with PAS), they can't accept PAS, especially non-Muslims," he said in a video posted on Facebook yesterday.
He added that this was because PAS was "too extremist" and seemingly ignored that Malaysia is a multiracial and multireligious country.
He was responding to a Time Magazine interview with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, in which the latter said he had once extended an invitation for PAS to join the coalition government.
In the interview, Anwar also said that he would not reject the possibility of PAS joining the government in the future, but that this was contingent on the Islamist party accepting several core policies and respecting that Malaysia is a multiracial and multireligious party.
Tiong said he had asked Anwar about this during the cabinet meeting on Oct 13, during which the latter explained that the invitation was extended when forming the coalition government, in compliance with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's call for political unity.
Meanwhile, Tiong in his video yesterday expressed support for non-Muslims who were concerned with PAS.
However, he also said that the matter of PAS joining the government should not be hyped up further.
On multiculturalism, Tiong said that only when everyone respects one another can the country be united and developed.
He also vowed that the coalition government would do their best to safeguard the rights of all races and religions. - Mkini
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