Decide now who you want to work with in GE15, PAS Youth tells leaders

(FMT) – PAS Youth has urged the party’s central leadership to make a final call on political cooperation ahead of the 15th general election (GE15).

Youth chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari said seat allocations and the list of candidates should also be finalised soon.

“We need to be sure who we can put forward, who our friends are,” he said when opening the PAS Youth general assembly here today.

“Let us not rush to prepare at the very last minute. The youths are primed and ready.”

Fadhli’s comment comes at a time when Perikatan Nasional (PN) chief Muhyiddin Yassin said the coalition was open to cooperation with other parties to ensure Barisan Nasional’s defeat.

PAS’ leadership, however, has scoffed at the idea. PAS is one of the five component parties in PN.

Fadhli also reiterated that the youth chapter would never work with Pakatan Harapan in the coming polls, stating that the opposition had “cast a pall” on the country after its 22-month stint in power.

“The black marks they left are still felt by the people today,” he said.

“The core structure of the country was nearly ruined after the ICERD episode. Let this episode be a reminder for us not to repeat our mistakes.”

In 2019, Malaysia withdrew from ratifying the ICERD, or Rome Statute, following fears that it would affect the Federal Constitution in relation to the constitutional monarchy, Malay rights, and the sanctity of Islam in the country.

The PAS general assembly is expected to reveal the level of the party’s confidence in the Muhyiddin-led PN, with party leaders in Kelantan, Terengganu and Kedah reportedly refusing to use the PN symbol in the coming general election.

Muhyiddin has been receiving flak from PAS leaders after saying on Saturday that the coalition was open to the idea of teaming up with other parties, including PH, to face BN in GE15. PAS regards PH, particularly DAP, as its political enemy.

However, PAS leaders may heave a sigh of relief because other parties have poured cold water on Muhyiddin’s overtures.

So far, the Bersatu chief’s invitation for cooperation has been turned down by the likes of DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng, Amanah president Mohamad Sabu and PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli.

Pejuang chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad also described Muhyiddin as only interested in becoming prime minister again.

This was after Muhyiddin said PN was also open for cooperation with the Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA) coalition led by Mahathir.