PAN is smarter than PAS

Let me repeat that. Political parties win elections. So political parties must do and say things that win elections. Missionaries convert people and teach them how to go to heaven. And these two functions do not belong on the same plate. So choose which you want to be, and be more like PAN, that knows how to play both sides of the field.

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

When it comes to politics, Parti Amanah Negara, or the National Trust Party (AMANAH), is smarter than Parti Islam Se-Malaysia, or the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS).

Both PAN and PAS are political parties. But PAN is very clear about the fact it is a political party, while PAS is confused and thinks it is a missionary movement.

If the PAS people want to propagate Islam, then they should leave the party and go join PERKIM. PAS should be focused on winning elections, not on trying to send people to heaven.

I think all PAS people must be made to attend a three-month course on political philosophy before they are allowed to contest the elections. Oxford University offers such courses (https://www.conted.ox.ac.uk/courses/political-philosophy-an-introduction-online) and it is only about RM1,800.

I have met many PAS people in my 44 years association with the party and I would not trust some of them to walk my dog let alone to become my wakil rakyat. We need better quality and more knowledgeable wakil rakyat. We need wakil rakyat who know what ‘future’ means and not try to bring the country back to the days of Medina during the time of Prophet Muhammad.

Let me repeat that. Political parties win elections. So political parties must do and say things that win elections. Missionaries convert people and teach them how to go to heaven. And these two functions do not belong on the same plate. So choose which you want to be, and be more like PAN, that knows how to play both sides of the field.