In his opening address at PAS’ 63rd Muktamar here today, Hadi said that for the next general election (GE14), PAS will proceed with its “Green Tsunami” at the “right time” as a call to all Malaysians to join PAS in bringing about change in the country.
“No one can force or threaten us to state our political stand, more so when it involves our strategy.”
In recent times, Pakatan Harapan leaders, specifically those from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) and PKR, have urged PAS to state whether they would be joining the opposition bloc to take on the Barisan Nasional (BN).
PAS however has refused to enter into an electoral pact with Pakatan Harapan, saying that it would enter the polls as a “third bloc” instead, referring to Gagasan Sejahtera, which it formed with Parti Ikatan Bangsa Malaysia (Ikatan) and Barisan Jemaah Islamiah Se-Malaysia (Berjasa).
PAS leaders have also said that they would place candidates in seats belonging to other opposition parties, forcing three-cornered fights which analysts say would ultimately favour BN.
Hadi’s strong words also come at a time when ties between PKR and PAS are strained, with PAS’ Dewan Ulama and youth wing calling for the Islamist party to end its political cooperation with PKR.
He also said PAS needed an approach which could unite the different races in Malaysia and ensure they understood the needs of Muslims to continue with a religious way of life in Malaysia.
“PAS must also work hard to win over voters in the west coast, including those who are non-Muslims and non-Malays.”
Traditionally, PAS has been a force to be reckoned with in Peninsular Malaysia’s east coast and the rural Malay heartlands in other parts of the peninsula. It has led the Kelantan government since 1990, and administered Terengganu from 1999 and 2004 and Kedah (2008-2013).
He said non-Muslims must be given room to listen to PAS’ message, and to this end the PAS Supporters’ wing for non-Muslims, who aren’t allowed to be PAS members, must be strengthened and further supported.
“In line with this, PAS, with our allies in Gagasan Sejahtera must be strengthened with more members from the public, community leaders, former top government officials and NGOs to face the intense political environment,” he said, adding a more systematic agenda must be developed after the muktamar.
This year’s muktamar is the second party assembly since the 2015 party elections which saw the defeat of several veteran leaders who were contesting for top posts.
These leaders, who were part of the so-called progressive movement within PAS, later set up Parti Amanah Negara. Amanah then teamed up with PKR and DAP to form a new opposition coalition called Pakatan Harapan.
Since the 2015 party elections, the environment at the subsequent muktamars has been described by many PAS leaders as “peaceful”.”