PAS passes resolution to review political cooperation with DAP, PKR

(The Star) – PAS has appeared to heed the calls from party conservatives as it passed a resolution to review the tahaluf siyasi (political cooperation) with its partners PKR and DAP.

The resolution, which was proposed by the Dewan Ulama, was approved without debate.

However, they acknowledged the success of the political cooperation, which was the reason they retained Kelantan, Penang and Selangor.

The Dewan Ulama said that the proposal would be forwarded to the highest policy decision-making body, namely Majlis Syura Ulama and PAS committee, to review and revise the cooperation.

“It also needs to assess the strengths and weaknesses, success and failure of the tahaluf siyasi since it was first established, and weigh its pros and cons in order to improve and strengthen Pakatan Rakyat ahead of the next general election,” they said.

Kuala Kangsar PAS division had also called for similar resolution so that the party could strengthen the political cooperation with allies.

“We realise that PAS is known as a party that is supported by ulama and Muslim leaders.

“PAS is also known to be a party that fights on a platform that holds strongly on Islamic principles,” they said.

Therefore, they said that PAS should take a firm stand on matters that touch on its principles and party policies.

Dewan Ulama chief Datuk Harun Taib had previously called for the review of the party’s political cooperation with allies PKR and DAP in the wake of the party’s dwindling support in the May 5 general election.

He said this was because PAS was no longer dominant in Pakatan Rakyat and its position in the alliance was “weaker than ever” for being “too accomodating” to its allies in order to garner support from non-Malays.

There were also talks that PAS leadership wasn’t firm enough with its stand on the usage of the word “Allah” by non-Muslims and the implementation of hudud law.

Other resolutions passed without debate were to streamline Pakatan Rakyat policies in the three states.

The resolution, which was proposed by the Dewan Ulama, said that it was time that the coalition standardised the administration policies to show that the three parties were united in governing the states.

Meanwhile, PAS also passed a resolution by PAS Teluk Intan division to ensure that the party remained free from Syiah teachings and urged the party to remain vigilant.