PAS to allow non-Muslims to use its symbol to contest in general election

(Bernama) – PAS will allow non-Muslim candidates contesting on a PAS ticket to use the party symbol in the next general election, but with conditions.

PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang said the move was approved by its Ulama Council to enable those who joined the PAS Supporters Club (Dewan Himpunan Penyokong PAS), to contest in the general election.

“We will impose conditions on non-Muslims contesting under PAS. First, they must accept PAS’ policy and struggle, and second, they must have high morality,” he told reporters after opening PAS’ 56th muktamar here Friday.

He said this was the first time the party was allowing non-Muslims to contest under its banner in efforts to bring the non-Muslims closer to the Islamic mission.

He added that to prevent non-Muslims who contested on a PAS ticket from switching parties, they were also required to make a loyalty pledge to the party.

PAS had its own mechanism to ensure its assemblymen and members of Parliament did not switch parties, he added.

He also said that the move was not intended to sideline the other component parties of the opposition alliance, including the DAP and PKR, because the two parties also had non-Muslim members and leaders.

“They understand what PAS is doing. PAS’ objective is to show true fairness in Islam.”

He said PAS would field non-Muslim candidates in areas with non-Muslim majority and there would be no overlapping of constituencies to be contested by the component parties.