PAS is contemplating boycotting the next general election, said a senior party leader barely a day after its decision to not to contest the upcoming Batu Talam by-election.

Not ruling out boycott as an option, PAS vice-president Husam Musa said: "The opposition can do the 'unthinkable' unless the Election Commission (EC) and the government review some of the unfair electoral practices."

In a phone interview with malaysiakini today, he explained why and how the party decided to boycott the by-election slated for Jan 28 following the death of Umno incumbent Tengku Paris Tengku Razlan on Dec 27, as well as the political implication following the boycott.

Below are excerpts of the interview

Malaysiakini: Why was the decision to boycott the Batu Talam by-election taken?

Husam: We want to send a strong message to the Election Commission and Umno that they need to rectify some of the practices in the elections, including money politics and unfair media coverage.

Umno (election) workers are frustrated with this decision because they will not have the opportunity to make money from this by-election. This normally happens during a by-election, especially in Pahang.

In the Pengkalan Pasir by-election (in Kelantan), they (Umno) spent lavishly. All their workers were given a certain amount of money, not just to distribute to voters but also for themselves.

EC and Umno need to review some of these election practices immediately. That is the main reason behind our decision.

You were also complaining about discrepancies in the electoral roll.

Yes, there are more than 100 Orang Asli listed as Indians in the electoral roll. This is a very basic example of EC's incompetence in the conduct of an election.

BN won the Batu Talam seat with close to 3,000 majority in the last general election. Is this discrepancy in the electoral roll you are claiming will determine the victory this time around?

If you look at the 1999 general election results, BN won with only about 900-vote majority but according to our own tallying at the polling stations, they won by just about 800 votes. Eight hundred is not a big margin.

Are these reasons strong enough to merit a boycott?

One important thing - the opposition has suggested to the EC to use indelible ink to prevent phantom voters and multiple voting. EC should make sure the election is fair and free from phantom voters. However, the suggestion was not taken up.

So this time around, we are not going to simply legitimise the BN victory, which will be done 'outside the election process' (not in the due process of an election).

If we were to contest in the by-election, the EC will take it for granted because even when it rejects our proposal, we would still contest in the election and this will subsequently legitimise the BN victory.

BN knows they need to rule with legitimacy, otherwise it will just be like Thailand. We may continue the protest in the next general election, but that will be decided later.

So PAS is also mulling over a boycott for the next general election if there is no electoral reform?

EC cannot take things for granted.

You are saying this boycott may not be the only protest?

Yes, but this will be decided later. The opposition can do the 'unthinkable' unless the EC and the current government review some of the unfair electoral practices.

Does this mean the opposition is giving up on contesting?

We will prepare ourselves for the next general election but we will also do something appropriate at the appropriate time.

There is criticism that this boycott also violates the voter's right to duly elect a representative.

On the contrary, we are using this opportunity to enhance the rights of voters, not to deprive them. How? By sending a strong message in the hope that the ruling government can seriously consider electoral reforms.

But Batu Talam can serve as a test of strength between BN and the opposition ahead of the general election?

We will reserve our strength and show it during the final battle.

Is PAS afraid of losing?

I met several village leaders in Batu Talam including an ex-Umno division chief. They requested us to contest because there are many local issues.

For example, the young generation of Felda settlers were promised plots of land in the last elections but the promises were not kept. In this by-election, they believe the government will make the same promise. So they hope PAS will contest and they can get their land.

But then, there is no level playing field in this by-election. So we have to decide between acceding to the people's wish to contest and sending a strong message that we need electoral reforms. We have chosen the latter.

So the party is going against the wishes of the people?

I myself will go to the constituency to meet the locals.

How was the decision made?

The position was taken during the party's central working committee meeting on Monday (Jan 8). We then conveyed it to PKR and they also agreed.

Was there a split during the decision-making?

No, it was an unanimous decision. Everyone was very supportive.

Who mooted the idea?

Our party president (Abdul Hadi Awang).