Speaking to FMT, PAS research director Mohd Zuhdi Marzuki commented on reports that PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail hadn’t ruled out discussing seat allocations with PAS, which had just recently cut ties with PKR.
Wan Azizah, who is Pakatan Harapan president, said the main objective in GE14 was to topple BN and the party would try anything to achieve that goal.
But Zuhdi said discussions with PKR were unlikely, given that PAS had made its stand clear on its ties with PKR after the muktamar, voting to sever ties with PKR. This decision was later endorsed by the Syura Council, which is PAS’ highest decision-making body.
“We have carried out studies throughout the country and asked respondents for their views on PAS and whether we should work with PH or Barisan Nasional.
“We found that the people, especially Malay Muslims, want PAS to form and lead its own bloc instead of working with PH or BN,” he said, adding this was the findings in many areas.
He added that as PAS’ election machinery was almost 100% ready, any seat negotiations with PKR and PH will only result in a 180-degree about turn and affect the election machinery’s efforts.
Zuhdi also said any decision to discuss seat allocations with PKR would depend on a decision by the Syura Council.
Before the muktamar in April, PAS had vowed not to work with DAP and Amanah, the PAS splinter party. It also said it wouldn’t work with any party which had ties to DAP and Amanah.
In the run-up to the muktamar, relations between PAS and PKR were strained after PAS took offence to statements made by some PKR leaders, including the party’s deputy president Azmin Ali as well as PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli.
Meanwhile, DAP vice-president Teresa Kok said PAS had already made its position clear on working with PKR after this year’s muktamar.
“I don’t understand how PKR can work with PAS again since this is the position of PAS towards PKR.”
Amanah communications director Khalid Samad said it would be strange if PAS was willing to enter into negotiations, seeing as to how it has decided to cut ties with PKR.
“It’s PAS which asked for a divorce. PKR never did so. It’s not surprising if PKR still wants to talk.”
On Wan Azizah’s statement, Khalid said although PAS could help topple BN, it would be necessary to get PAS’ commitment that it will not betray the opposition should BN fall in GE14.
He said if PAS could give its commitment to the goal of defeating Najib instead of thinking of being kingmakers, then seat negotiations should be held.
“The question is, does PAS have the same goals and can it guarantee that they won’t betray PH?
“If they agree, then we can talk. PAS has to accept the current scenario where we have four parties in PH. If it wants to work with PH, there will be five parties.
“PAS can’t then say that Amanah or PPBM can’t contest in all PAS seats,” he said, adding this too was a stumbling block to talks.