Harapan allies don't foresee Bersatu making a pact with PAS
Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's recent meeting with PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang has come under intense scrutiny.
Following last Friday's meeting, Mahathir, who is also Bersatu and Pakatan Harapan chairperson, claimed that PAS had agreed not to support Umno in the March 2 Semenyih by-election...
Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's recent meeting with PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang has come under intense scrutiny.
Following last Friday's meeting, Mahathir, who is also Bersatu and Pakatan Harapan chairperson, claimed that PAS had agreed not to support Umno in the March 2 Semenyih by-election.
This set tongues wagging on whether Bersatu and PAS are in talks to establish some form of cooperation between the two parties.
However, Bersatu's allies in Pakatan Harapan are confident this would not happen due to PAS' track record with regard to political alliances.
Amanah vice-president Mahfuz Omar said he does not foresee Bersatu and PAS making a pact because of the Islamist party's "confused stance".
"When they met Mahathir, they said they would not support Umno, but suddenly they are still supporting Umno which caused Mahathir to release another statement.
"The actions of PAS have also eroded the trust Umno's leadership had in them and similarly, their actions against Mahathir would have also raised doubts in Mahathir about them.
"Their flip-flopping would in the end distance themselves (from everyone)," he told Malaysiakini.
Mahfuz (photo) also believes Mahathir was telling the truth regarding PAS not supporting Umno in Semenyih since its leaders did not make strong denials of this.
Otherwise, he said, PAS should file a civil suit against the prime minister for making a false claim.
Similarly, DAP Youth chief Howard Lee described PAS as “experienced in breaking deals”.
"I can't see there being a backdoor deal and... if there is a backdoor deal, PAS is experienced in breaking them.
"Any deal with PAS may as well be seen as no deal to start with. So to entertain a deal with PAS is a failed deal to start with. What do I have to worry about?” he added.
PKR vice-president Tian Chua also insisted there is no such deal between Bersatu and PAS.
He said Harapan should just be grateful that PAS would reduce its support for Umno in the coming by-election, which would work in favour of the ruling coalition.
"We should take advantage in Semenyih. If PAS is not willing to support Umno, then we have to work harder to win. That is good, right?
"I do not think there will be any backdoor deal,” he told Malaysiakini.
After Mahathir announced that PAS would not be backing Umno in Semenyih, the Islamist party's secretary-general Takiyudin Hassan clarified that his party would continue to work with Umno, but the cooperation would not be the same as witnessed in last month's Cameron Highlands by-election.
Takiyuddin was also present at the meeting with the prime minister.
Hint2: If pas leadership is smart, they would have a no confidence vote on taliban hadi and kick out Nik Beduh. That will save themselves from a lot of grief.
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