Guan Eng rejects PAS for new opposition coalition
DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng has totally rejected the idea of PAS becoming a partner in the new opposition pact together with PKR and Parti Amanah Negara.
Lim said this arrangement was no longer tenable after PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang announced that his party would field candidates in all constituencies dominated by DAP in the coming general election.
"That question is no longer a question. You do not have to ask to know the answer," Lim told reporters when asked to comment on Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali's statement that PAS was welcome to join the new opposition coalition.
"It becomes completely untenable for DAP to be part of any coalition with PAS, since it has made such an announcement to contest against the DAP," Lim explained at a press conference in Komtar today.
"Hadi did not make an announcement that PAS will contest against Umno but against DAP. The logic of that is, if PAS sto contest against us, how can it be part of the coalition?" Lim asked.
Azmin ( photo ), who is also PKR deputy president, had said PKR wanted to continue its cooperation with PAS in Selangor and that the party's only enemies are BN and Umno.
DAP and PAS parted ways in June after PAS decided to sever ties with DAP for its rejection of Hadi's move to table a Private Member's Bill on hudud in Parliament.
Political position changed
Meanwhile, Lim reiterated that PAS has changed its political position in several ways.
"For example, questioning Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak over allegations of financial scandals involving 1MDB and the RM2.6 billion donation in his private bank accounts is no longer a priority for PAS.
"It is still a priority for us. That's the difference. Our policies and struggles have diverged."
On what would DAP do if PAS did join the new opposition coalition Pakatan in the general election due in 2018, Lim said the party's position was very clear.
He asked that the same question be posed to Azmin, since PAS has indicated its plan to contest all seats dominated by DAP.
"It changes things. First, PAS breaks up with us - not we with them - and now it wants to contest against us, the DAP. PAS didn't say it wants to contest against MCA or Umno, MIC or Gerakan, but singled out DAP," Lim said.
"BN and Umno are no longer their main opponents but DAP is, so you can imagine how PAS has diverged,” the Penang chief minister added.
Related reports
AG: Missing DPP not involved in 1MDB probe
Identify yourselves, Dyana dares Sept 16 rally organisers
Police need a week to probe burnt car
Police won’t allow Sept 16 rally to take place
Amanah agreeing to agree on hudud welcome, says DAP
The Edge submits for suspension order to be quashed
Guan Eng rejects PAS for new opposition coalition
Guan Eng challenges PAS to take him on in Air Putih
Let the red shirts rally, PKR veep urges police
Bersih: Stop distracting our fight for democratic reforms
Pandikar stays mum on PM no confidence motion
Ringgit falls to 4.3030 on US jobs data, oil price drop
Muhyiddin, Shafie to attend Umno political bureau meeting
Aide: Rosmah just housewife, why attend 'SB meet'?
Since when is picture stomping an offence?
Severe haze around peninsula causing low visibility
IGP: Stop rumours on Kevin's disappearance
Another boost for Parti Amanah Negara
Two more questions on RM2.6b Najib has to answer
When God is involved in battle against graft
Najib, the people are supreme, not you
Are you sure you want to delete this comment?
This action cannot be undone.