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Tuan Ibrahim: Why spoil votes when you can choose PAS?
Published:  Jan 22, 2018 5:52 PM
Updated: 9:58 AM

While some quarters are advocating for spoiling votes in the 14th general election out of frustration towards both BN and Pakatan Harapan, a PAS leader has reminded these were not the only two choices available.

"If they do not agree with BN and also do not agree with Harapan, and if there is no third choice, then where do they stand?" asked PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man.

It is here where PAS comes in, he answered in a commentary published by the party's portal, Harakahdaily.

"PAS will not suggest spoiling votes. We suggest that if you disagree with BN and disagree with Harapan, then choose PAS," he said.

Tuan Ibrahim said spoiling votes and boycotting elections would only work for a government that cared but this was not the case with BN.

For example, he said PAS had boycotted the Batu Talam by-election in 2007 but nothing came out of it as the ruling coalition ignored them.

Tuan Ibrahim reiterated that PAS was seeking to capture Putrajaya by contesting in 130 parliamentary seats.

However, he said if PAS was fated to win only 40 seats, which was the party's target, PAS would be able to be the kingmaker by crowning either BN or Harapan on its own terms.

"If PAS supports Harapan, Harapan governs. If PAS supports BN, BN governs. People ask who will we support?

We will support whoever who accepts PAS' policies and struggle. This is our condition.

"If they violate our condition, we will withdraw our support and that government collapses," he said.

Ultimately, Tuan Ibrahim said PAS wanted to bring about change.

"We don't want the people to be disappointed again. During Tun (Dr Mahathir Mohamad's) time, many things happened and he finally quit.

"Then came Pak Lah (Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) whom people put their hope in but were disappointed.

"Then came Najib Abdul Razak and people were also disappointed. Are we now going back to Mahathir? Think about it," he said.

Pakatan Harapan has named the Mahathir, who led the country and BN for 22 years, as its prime ministerial candidate.

Mahathir is now aligned with the opposition and in accusing Najib of corruption, has vowed to dislodge him from power.

Najib had denied any wrongdoing or specifically taking public funds for personal gain in relation to the 1MDB controversy.

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