We don’t want PAS, Sarawak DAP insists after Pakatan Harapan formed

(Malay Mail Online) – Sarawak DAP today rejected the notion of renewing ties with PAS, insisting that it will not agree to work with the Islamist party in the newly-formed Pakatan Harapan at the state level.

The party’s Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen said the pact formed today must only comprise of PKR, DAP and Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah).

“We will not work with PAS. This is the pledge we made when we severed ties with the Islamist party over the tabling of amendments to the Shariah Criminal Code by the Kelantan PAS government,” he said.

Sarawak DAP also distanced itself from PKR’s state chapter over its decision to maintain “friendly ties” with PAS.

Chong said all state chapters of DAP, PKR and Amanah must hold discussions soon, before state polls are called next year.

“We want to form this new coalition as soon as possible to face the state Barisan Nasional (BN) in the elections,” the Kota Sentosa state lawmaker said.

Sarawak Amanah chief Mohd Ridzuan Zaidi said the party will adhere to the directive of the central Amanah leadership in the formation of Pakatan Harapan.

“If we want to defeat BN in the coming state election, the opposition parties need to form a coalition.

“We cannot beat BN if the opposition parties are fighting among themselves,” Ridzuan said.

He said there is a strong possibility that PAS will not join the pact in Sarawak due to the strong objection from DAP.

“Moreover, PAS has its own political agenda in Sarawak,” he said.

Earlier today in Kuala Lumpur, PKR, DAP and Parti Amanah Negara announced the formation of Pakatan Harapan, a new coalition to replace Pakatan Rakyat.

The pact also extended an invitation for PAS to join.