PAS certain to break its cooperation with Pakatan, claims political analyst

(The Star) – There is no doubt that PAS will break its ties with DAP and PKR even if there is a change of guard in the coming party polls in June.

Political analyst Dr Kamarul Zaman Yusoff (pic), a senior lecturer in the College of Law, Government and International Studies of Universiti Utara Malaysia, claimed it was evident that PAS will break up whether the conservatives or progressives win top posts in the crucial party election.

“Let’s just say that Ahmad Awang defeats incumbent Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, however rather unlikely, Abdul Hadi and his supporters will surely leave PAS to set up a new party, Islamic party with an emphasis on syariah, thus denting Pakatan’s strength.”

“Should Abdul Hadi win, Ahmad Awang and his supporters are also likely to leave PAS to set up a new party, an Islamic party with an emphasis on good governance minus syariah that is not acceptable to DAP and PKR.”

“There is no gain for Pakatan even if Ahmad Awang and his supporters win the posts, what more when the threat of hudud will still be a thorn in DAP’s flesh and also to all the coalition partners as long as PAS’ s constitution remains as it is.”

“It is better off for DAP and PKR to help ensure their progressive in PAS who are defeated can set up a new party with a structure and constitution that is more in line with Pakatan,” said Dr Kamarul Zaman, who did his doctorate research on the Ulamak leadership in PAS, in a telephone interview.