PAS Dewan Ulama information chief Khairuddin Aman Razali today defended the Islamist party’s recent encounters with Umno and Malay-rights group Perkasa as part of its “new political strategy” that involves discussions with all concerned parties.

In a statement, Khairuddin alleged that certain quarters with vested interests may be unhappy with the party’s perceived growing strength.

“PAS newest approach may not be well received by certain quarters who are worried that we will become stronger, more influential and play a bigger role in the local political arena.

“As such, new media (online media) has been manipulated to condemn and ridicule our efforts,” the Kuala Nerus MP claimed.

PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan ( photo ) had this morning refuted a report by The Malaysian Insider that quoted him as saying the Islamist party is ready to “forgive and forget” Umno’s past mistakes.

Despite being similarly quoted by several other reports, Takiyuddin claimed that he never heard the question being asked by any reporter when met after Perkasa’s annual general assembly yesterday.

PAS out to break barriers

Khairuddin, meanwhile, explained that the new approach was taken in order to break down barriers that had prevented politics based on Islam to reach the grassroots communities.

At the same time, he added, it was also meant to portray the image of PAS as an opposition party that can offer constructive criticism and advice to the ruling party, in a “gentle yet firm and principled manner”.

Aside from its existing tahaluf siyasi (political cooperation) with PKR, Khairuddin said this new approach involved holding meetings, discussions and consultations with various political parties and non-government organisations.

“Therefore, PAS president (Abdul Hadi Awang) and other party leaders had spoken at the Al-Azhar Alumni Multaqa (regional conference) with Umno president (Najib Abdul Razak) last week.

“PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin and PAS election director Mustafa Ali, meanwhile, were sent as representatives to attend Perkasa’s general assembly (over the weekend),” he said, adding that PAS had also previously organised its Kongres Rakyat for various civil society groups to air their grouses.

PAS has recently come under fire for its perceived willingness to work together with Umno for the greater good of Islam.