Sincerity, vision key to lasting PAS-Umno pact, says Tuan Ibrahim

 PAS treasurer-general Iskandar Abdul Samad also warns Bersatu against trying to instigate conflict between the two parties.

PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man admits that maintaining the cooperation will not be easy, but believes it is possible if both parties focus on their shared objectives.

PETALING JAYA:

PAS leaders are confident the party’s pact with Umno will last as long as both parties are sincere and consider the long-term vision, despite the potential grapple for northern states in the future.

PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man admitted that maintaining the cooperation would not be easy, but he believed it was possible if both parties focused on their shared objectives.

“It depends on the sincerity and far-sightedness of both parties. We hope the Negeri Sembilan state election will be a good start and that it will endure.

“PAS realises that it won’t be easy. But if all parties work towards maintaining the cooperation and putting aside matters that could cause it to crumble, I’m confident it would remain intact,” he told FMT.

Yesterday, Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin said he doubted if the alliance between Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional will last.

Muhyiddin predicted that Umno and PAS will clash fiercely in the northern states that are under PN’s control.

However, Tuan Ibrahim said the pact between PAS and Umno was not merely an election strategy, but was aimed at avoiding clashes that would be detrimental to the Malays.

“Clashes between PAS and Umno would allow Pakatan Harapan to win Malay-majority seats, to the community’s detriment,” he said.

Separately, PAS treasurer-general Iskandar Abdul Samad said Muhyiddin was trying to distract and sow discord among PAS and Umno supporters.

Iskandar said PAS would not be swayed and remains focused on facing the Negeri Sembilan polls.

“The relationship between PAS and Umno is cordial now. There’s no need for him to try and instigate conflict. Don’t try to pit us against each other by sowing doubt,” he said. - FMT