No deal if DAP, PAN are involved, says Pas Ulama Head

(NST) – Pas has issued an ultimatum to Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM), saying it will not work with PPBM if the latter continues to cooperate with DAP and Parti Amanah Negara (PAN).

“PPBM has to choose. We will not agree (to cooperate with them) if they work with DAP and PAN,” Pas ulama chief Datuk Mahfodz Mohamed told the New Straits Times yesterday.

He said Pas leaders had met PPBM leaders, but had yet to come to a conclusion on their cooperation with the three-month-old party.

“We will wait for our next meeting but no date has been set yet. If PPBM agrees to work with us, we can talk about seat negotiations,” he said.

PPBM had, on Wednesday, signed an agreement with Pakatan Harapan parties — PKR, DAP and PAN — on an electoral pact.

PPBM president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said his party was in discussions with Pas to ensure a straight fight against Barisan Nasional in the next general election.
Universiti Sains Malaysia political analyst Professor Dr Sivamurugan Pandian said the issue of seat allocations would remain a teething problem for the opposition parties.

“Pakatan Harapan might not be so keen to cooperate because Pas is adamant on setting the rules. Even though PPBM is still persuading Pas to come to an agreement, I think three-cornered fights are inevitable,” he told the New Straits Times yesterday, adding that this was why DAP leaders had refused to comment on the electoral pact between Pakatan Harapan and PPBM.

“DAP is hesitant (to comment) on the pact because it wants to avoid protests from its loyal supporters (who reject PPBM and Pas). They also want to avoid being seen as the main party responsible for the pact, as claimed by some quarters.

“They are also trying to buy more time for themselves by keeping PPBM as part of an electoral pact, and not regard it as an equal partner just yet,” said Sivamurugan.
On Thursday, DAP leaders, including central executive member Dr Boo Cheng Hau and Serdang member of parliament Dr Ong Kian Ming, refused to comment on the electoral pact’s chances.

Universiti Putra Malaysia Professor Dr Zaid Ahmad also said it was premature to predict the outcome of the pact.

“It looks like DAP is adopting a wait-and-see approach. This is important because they need to evaluate how the public reacts to the pact. However, this agreement is a reasonable political move as the 14th General Election is fast approaching.

“I do not think DAP’s hesitation to comment is a sign of them rejecting the pact. Politically speaking, DAP needs the opposition to be strengthened with the help of PPBM and Pas in order to win GE14.”

DAP political education director Liew Chin Tong said Pakatan Harapan’s electoral pact with PPBM was a work in progress and was the first step towards a more formal coalition.