PAS will score a big win in the next general election following its move to sever ties with DAP, said Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali.

He predicted the Islamic party would take the lion's share of Malay votes because Umno has failed to entice the Malays be it on economic or educational matters.

"Based on our monitoring from the Malay perspective, PAS' move to split with DAP will not be a loss for PAS.

"On the contrary, PAS will profit from this if Umno does not take immediate pro-active steps," he told reporters at the Perkasa headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

Ibrahim based his prediction on a survey of Perkasa members, 90 percent of whom said they would not vote for the government.

"Sixty-five percent of Perkasa members are also Umno members. Some of them have not been happy with Umno since 2008.

"Ninety percent of Perkasa votes go to the opposition," he said.

'Don't just talk about Islam'

Now that PAS is no longer with DAP, Ibrahim said the Islamist party would be more open and stronger.

He added PAS can become even stronger if it starts to voice out on Malay issues, instead of only joining protests like Bersih.

But he said PAS must also diversify itself and not just talk about Islam.

"PAS has to change. Don't just talk about Islam. PAS has to organise economic and education congresses.

"(If they do this) many investors will come and erase the perception that PAS leaders are too conservative," he said.

He then went on to reject a PAS merger with Umno as their political ideals are different.

On a different matter, Ibrahim said he has become friends with Christian priests after attending an event organised by Christians For Peace and Harmony in Malaysia (CPHM).

"I met a lot of priests, They are on good terms with me now, they frequently text me on WhatsApp and now they understand me," he said, adding that he has invited the priests to break fast with him, and to attend future open houses.

 

Ibrahim's standing with the Christian community had been greatly damaged, after he allegedly threatened to burn bibles.