Selangor PAS warned of new ‘threat’

(The Star) – Selangor PAS is facing a new “threat” and it is coming from the Islamist party’s former allies, said Datuk Iskandar Samad (pix).

The vice-president said that despite Barisan Nasional and Umno being PAS’ traditional nemesis, the party should be wary of its “new enemy”.

Although he did not mention any names, it is believed that this was an apparent reference to PAS’ splinter party Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah), which had gone into a pact with PKR and DAP.

Referring to the recent appointments of eight Amanah councillors in the state, the Chempaka assemblyman said the move would translate to a “threat” as the party had positioned itself just like Umno and Barisan.

“We all know that these councillors will become candidates and we should not be carried away.

“Don’t focus too much on Umno and Barisan as we have a new threat besides them,” Iskandar told PAS members during the launch of the Selangor election machinery here, Sunday.

According to him, they have to defend their position because PAS is the only party that upholds the Islamic foundation in the country.

“We need to defend our institution. I’m not saying this because I am a Selangor executive councillor, I am saying this because we are the only Islamist party in Selangor,” Iskandar said.

He also revealed that Selangor PAS would contest in 25 seats – five more seats than their previous 20 contested in the 13th General Election.  “And where are these seats? Let’s wait and see. And we will win these additional seats,” he said.

Later at a press conference, he denied that the move was in response to Amanah getting the councillors’ seats, saying that this was the wish of the grassroots.

“We will contest. The grassroots asked us to contest another five seats and we will cooperate with PKR. It is not about the eight seats, but because, there is a need to do so,” Iskandar added.

In the last election, PAS contested in 20 state seats and won 15 of them.