Opposition will lose if PAS forms third bloc, says prof

Party should focus on resolving Orang Asli issues instead of forming useless political blocs, says Prof Shamsul Amri Baharuddin of UKM

(FMT) – The opposition’s chances of winning the next general election are bleak if PAS continues with its “third bloc” agenda, says Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Institute of Ethnic Studies director Prof Shamsul Amri Baharuddin.

The academician said the bloc would result in multi-cornered fights and render the opposition’s winning formula of “one versus one” useless.

“The existence of a third bloc will render this formula useless even before the 14th general election comes along,” Shamsul told FMT today.

PAS, in its latest snub, omitted DAP and Amanah from a large-scale opposition ceramah to be held in Paya Jaras, Selangor this evening.

The Islamist party is hosting leaders of PKR, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) and Parti Ikatan Bangsa Malaysia (Ikatan), who are expected to speak at the event.

According to Selangor assemblyman Khairuddin Othman, DAP and Amanah were not invited simply because they were not regarded as allies of PAS.

Although PAS is not formally included in the Pakatan Harapan coalition, its representatives in Selangor and Penang continue to work hand in hand with members of the opposition coalition there.

In the Selangor assembly, there are 13 PAS members in the Pakatan Harapan coalition, with two former members having joined Amanah. The coalition of PKR, DAP and Amanah hold a simple majority of 29 seats in the state.

In Penang, only one seat out of 40 is held by a PAS member who is considered Pakatan Harapan-friendly.

Meanwhile, Shamsul said he believed PAS’s attempt at forming a third bloc could indicate that the Islamist party wanted it all.

“It appears that PAS wants to have the cake and eat it too.

“PAS should resolve the Orang Asli issue in Kelantan if it still entertains the idea that every one of its leaders is going to ‘syurga’ (heaven).”