Huge support for PAS shows it's not extreme - Saifuddin

A Bersatu leader has dismissed claims that the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition's ally PAS is an "extreme" party.

According to Bersatu supreme council member Saifuddin Abdullah, PN is a moderate coalition that can lead a democratic country.

"I think moderation can be achieved. We must remember that PAS fielded non-Malay, non-Muslim candidates in the 15th general election (GE15).

"PAS also has a senator of Indian descent, so that shows PAS is not extreme," the Indera Mahkota MP (above) told reporters after a PN ceramah session at Taman Mahsuri in Padang Serai last night.

Saifuddin further stressed that the PAS administrations in Kelantan, Terengganu and Kedah prove that the party is not extremist.

"The biggest Buddha statue in Southeast Asia used to be in Kelantan, while Kedah recorded the highest foreign investment in 2021.

"These are important indications that PAS is not an extremist party as painted by certain quarters."

Malays support PAS, PN

Saifuddin was earlier asked whether PN should rework its idealism, to play its role as a constructive opposition, amid accusations against PAS.

"PN has to mainly do two things now. The first is being a constructive, professional, and progressive opposition at the parliamentary and State Legislative Assembly levels.

"Secondly, working on the coalition to represent a multiracial society," he said.

According to Saifuddin, the support garnered by PAS and PN in the last general election is a testament that it has the support of the Malay community.

"If we look at the analysis of the voter pattern in Peninsular Malaysia, BN only won 21 Malay-majority seats, while Pakatan Harapan only won 20 seats. PN, meanwhile, won 70 seats.

"The Malays are divided into various classes - the less educated ones in rural areas, and the educated ones in urban areas, for example. If PAS is extreme, how can it, and Bersatu, win so many seats?" he asked.

Saifuddin went on to declare that the "extremist" tag is only given to PAS by its detractors, while the support from voters says otherwise.

"Which one do we rely on? Analysts or detractors, or voters who provided huge support to PAS?"

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