Dzulkefly grilled over PAS strategy in Sarawak
(Harakahdaily) – PAS’s Kuala Selangor member of parliament Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, questioned over the party’s losses in the Sarawak election, has said the party need to cultivate its partnership within Pakatan Rakyat.
Saying the Islamic party “was still groping for a touch base” in Sarawak despite its third time contesting in a state election, Dzulkefly suggested the party had not taken advantage of its membership in PR.
“To me, it has to some extent failed to exploit the situation, or in other words failed to portray the party as part of Pakatan Rakyat and the coalition’s agenda for change,” he told online portal Merdeka Review.
Citing one incident conveyed to him, Dzulkefly related how a voter in Sarawak had actually voted for Barisan Nasional because he said he could not find the DAP or PKR logo on the ballot paper, in an area where PAS contested.
“This means PAS has failed to put accross the message to voters that supporting PAS is supporting DAP and PKR,” he added.
PAS lost in all five state seats in contested, although the party garnered increased share of votes compared to the last election in 2006.
The portal also questioned Dzulkefly over reports that DAP leaders had not been invited to give speeches for PAS’s campaigns in Muara Tuang and Tanjung Datu.
A “defensive” Dzulkefly, said the portal, however replied that the campaign period was “too short”.
Contrary to the claim however, it is understood that DAP deputy chairman Dr Tan Seng Giaw had spoken in Pekan Lundu at PAS’s headquarters on April 12.
On a question whether PAS’s strategy for the propagation of Islam was a suitable strategy to attract votes among Sarawakians, Dzulkefly reiterated the need for the party to publicise its partnership with PKR and DAP.
“Perhaps it was better for us to focus on the agenda for change together with Pakatan Rakyat, such as the issue of bringing down Taib Mahmud, which should be easily acceptable to locals in such a short period,” he said, adding that no one should be faulted as PAS’s election workers had been diligent.
