Pakatan Harapan-PAS feud will last till GE14, says analyst

(Bernama) – The perceived feud between PAS and Pakatan Harapan will drag on till the next general election, a political analyst has said.

Pakatan Harapan is the new opposition pact consisting of the DAP, PKR and splinter PAS group Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah).

“From the present situation, it is clear that strife between the opposition pact will continue to the GE14. There is a clash of interest between DAP, PKR, Amanah and PAS and each is fighting for its own political agenda.

“There is no solidarity in their decision-making and it would be a never-ending feud between Pakatan Harapan and PAS,” Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) political science lecturer Mohamad Faisol Keling told Bernama.

He said the possibility of three-cornered fights come election time was highly likely.

This is despite PKR secretary-general Rafizi Ramli having reportedly said that a three-corner fight would never happen as Pakatan Harapan would ensure a straight fight against the BN.

“PAS’ position as a political party is not strong and DAP will contest in all PAS seats. Therefore, PAS would have to defend itself and that is not going to be easy for PAS, now on its own.”

Prior to this, Selangor Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali had openly dismissed calls from DAP leaders to remove PAS from the state government.

Asked about his thoughts on this, Faisol maintained that PAS was already weak and its survival could be questioned at the present time.

The academician also said that Pakatan Harapan was here to stay longer than the non-existent Pakatan Rakyat.

“There is no doubt that they will be around for a long time as they are strong, just the three parties, with or without PAS,” Faisol added.

Pakatan Rakyat ceased to exist on June 17 after PAS cut ties with DAP and the latter announced that the seven-year-old pact had ended.