Better to be with Umno than with ‘anti-Islam’ DAP

The party’s top leader says the party will choose ‘oppressive’ Umno over ‘anti-Islam’ DAP anytime

(FMT) – PAS said it was cooperating with Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) because the Malay-based party can still be relied on compared to other “anti-Islam” parties.

The party’s spiritual adviser Hashim Jasin said PAS’ approach was in line with the “mature politics” advocated by Prophet Muhammad.

He said PAS had to choose between working with “oppressive” Muslims or non-Muslims who were “anti-Islam”, adding that the party would not compromise on what he called “all forms of oppression and corruption of Umno and BN”.

“But we must still acknowledge that they are Muslims who can still help defend Islam in issues such as the Rohingya and Palestinian conflicts and Act 355,” said Hashim, referring to Umno’s support for PAS’ plan to amend the Shariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act.

He said on the other hand, DAP – a former ally of PAS in the Pakatan Rakyat alliance – was anti-Islam and had refused to uphold the religion.

PAS has been seen as more friendly towards Umno under Abdul Hadi Awang and the late Haron Din who died last September, following a purge of progressive leaders in the 2015 party elections.

Last Friday, PAS joined hands with Umno in launching an aid flotilla to help the Rohingya in Myanmar.

The party has ruled out political cooperation with Pakatan Harapan, which replaced Pakatan Rakyat, and has yet to decide on an electoral pact with Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM).