Can Pas afford more defeats?
Despite the daunting prospect, Pas vice-president Salahuddin Ayub said it would be “weirder” for the party to stay out altogether. “Our party members would be wondering if we do not contest. The truth is, losing the seats did not and will not affect our commitment,” he said when contacted.
By Shuhada Elis, New Straits Times
PAS has attempted to explain away its consecutive defeats in Galas (Nov 4) and Tenang (Jan 30) by suggesting these were Umno strongholds. Pas actually held the Galas state seat in Kelantan before losing it in the by-election.
The party, in a kind of preemptive strike, now says it is a coincidence that the March 6 Merlimau and Kerdau by-elections are being held in Umno strongholds.
Despite the daunting prospect, Pas vice-president Salahuddin Ayub said it would be “weirder” for the party to stay out altogether.
“Our party members would be wondering if we do not contest. The truth is, losing the seats did not and will not affect our commitment,” he said when contacted.
What Salahuddin may have missed is that the impending Merlimau and Kerdau by-elections have landed Pas in the eyes of many sceptics.
Will the party lose its strength if it is defeated by Umno for the fourth consecutive time, they wonder.
And perhaps, would it be better if it doesn’t contest?
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia comparative politics lecturer Assoc Prof Dr Ahmad Nidzam Sulaiman said it would make better sense not to contest.
“But I don’t think they will do that,” he said, adding that the party would still contest head-on with BN as it did in the recent by-elections.
In the Batu Sapi by-election on Nov 4 last year, Pas candidate Dr Zulkefli Mohamad lost to Umno candidate Ab Aziz Yusoff by a 1,190-majority.
Then came Tenang.
Pas’ Normala Sudirman also lost to Umno’s Azahar Ibrahim with a majority of 3,735 votes.
Ahmad Nidzam said the upcoming by-elections would provide Pas space to campaign and meet the people.
His colleague, UKM law and policy studies lecturer Dr Kartini Aboo Talib, said Pas needed to show that it had significant supporters and was immune to the “losing virus”.
“Pas may need to affirm the belief that the cohesiveness in the opposition is still strong and relevant,” she said.
This was also the contention of Salahuddin.
“We can still achieve a few objectives even if we lose. For instance, these by-elections are a good political and machinery exercise ahead of the next general election.”
Pas, according to Salahuddin, has always believed in the saying “you may lose the battle but not the war”.
Hence, Pas would name its best candidates to reduce the majority of votes for Umno.
Malacca Umno information chief Datuk Idris Haron said the party welcomed anyone who intends to contest in the by-election but it would not be complacent despite Merlimau being its stronghold.
“There are rumours going around that BN has told Pas not to contest in the by-election but it is not true.
“We are democratic, so anyone who wants to contest can go ahead and be our guest.”
Nomination for the Merlimau and Kerdau by-elections is on Saturday.
