PAS: We won’t partner seatless Amanah, still in talks with PPBM

(MMO) – PAS will not work with its offshoot party Parti Amanah Negara but is still discussing with opposition Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM), its deputy president said today.

PAS deputy president Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man also said the party was disappointed with Amanah, as its leaders had gone off with “seats” when exiting PAS.

“Amanah has no seats, how to work with people that have seats? I think Amanah wants to cooperate because they want seats. PAS has already said before this, we will defend the existing seats,” he was quoted saying by local daily Sinar Harian.

Tuan Ibrahim said PAS had always aided its political allies during elections, including Parti Perikatan Negara, the now-defunct Semangat 46 and PKR.

“PAS gave seats, gave machinery to help our friends. That means in political partnership each time, PAS is prepared to sacrifice seats, but PAS is very disappointed with what was done by DAP and Amanah to PAS,” he said.

He also said that PAS will discuss partnering PPBM, adding that the Islamist party is open to talks with any party for collaboration in the elections, with the condition that they do not make off with seats under PAS.

Yesterday, Penang Amanah chief Datuk Mujahid Yusof Rawa said PAS has until end of the year to join the Pakatan Harapan pact, adding that they will otherwise be counted as a nemesis allied with the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition.

Amanah is a splinter of PAS, formed last year by a group of rebels that lost in the conservative Islamist party’s elections in June 2015.

PAS has broke off ties with DAP, which together with Amanah and PKR form Pakatan Harapan.

Pakatan Harapan yesterday said the participation of PPBM chaired by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad will be decided on December 13.