PAS’ decision to not involve the party in the Citizens’ Declaration signing last Friday was a strategic move to help them gain more ground in the 14th general elections, Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali said.

“PAS president Hadi (Awang) is making a wise move. The party is no longer overshadowed by the interests of others, unlike their time in Pakatan Rakyat.

“They are now free to advocate their own agenda and have a better chance of winning more seats in the next general elections.

“That is their political strategy,” Ibrahim said when asked to comment during Wednesday’s interview with Malaysiakini .

Abdul Hadi had brushed off the signing of the declaration, led by former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad to oust Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak from office and institute reforms.

The PAS chief had also said the declaration’s goal to remove Najib from office is a “ useless ” venture, as a no-confidence motion would require majority support from parliamentarians from Umno and other BN component parties.

Ibrahim predicted that of the two Malay-based parties, PAS would emerge stronger than Umno in gaining support from Malay voters.

“With PAS now free to chart its own course and Umno facing problems, the people will place their faith in PAS during the next GE,” he said.

‘Don’t underestimate PAS’

Ibrahim, who was Pasir Mas MP, believed PAS’ well-defined principles and objectives will benefit the party in Malay-majority seats.

“PAS has learnt a lot; they are wise. I have tried to provoke the party to see their ‘true colours’.

“They have a strategy with clear goals, which is to win as many Malay-majority seats as possible. So don’t underestimate PAS,” said the outspoken Malay rights NGO leader.

He said the Islamist party would go all out to gain seats they ‘lost’.

“PAS lost (several) seats when some of their leaders left (to join) Parti Amanah Nasional; they (would) want to get those seats back,” Ibrahim said.

Last year, PAS lost five parliamentary seats and five state seats when its elected representatives left to join the newly formed Amanah, which is part of the Pakatan Harapan coalition with DAP and PKR.

To address critics who said the party lacked non-Malay support, PAS had also announced plans to form a new political pact with a certain multiracial opposition party.

PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan had also voiced hope that this “third force” will be an even match for Pakatan Harapan in the next polls.