PAS orders Youth wing to engage non-Muslims, win back trust

PAS started beating the war drums tonight towards capturing Putrajaya by ordering its youth wing to get closer to non-Muslim voters and win back their trust.

Speaking at the launch of PAS Youth’s muktamar in Temerloh, Pahang, party deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man told delegates to admit they cannot depend only on Malay votes to form the federal government.

According to him, non-Muslims shunned PAS due to lies spread by political opponents and thus it was time to show them the reality of life under PAS leadership.

“They (non-Muslims) were scared to get close to us because we had been demonised (by our enemies) using extreme lies.

“PAS was painted as an extremist party. The green wave was pictured as something dangerous to the country, something detrimental to the country’s stability and rights of others to practice their beliefs.

“They (PAS’ enemies) spread all sorts of lies to the people, particularly among the non-Muslims. So we need to expose the people to the reality of living under (PAS’) administration in Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah, and Perlis.

“Thus, I would like to suggest that PAS Youth ramp up engagement with our non-Muslim friends, including those from NGOs, and organise trips to Kelantan and Terengganu so they can see for themselves the life of non-Muslims in these states,” Tuan Ibrahim said in his speech.

Boost Borneo base

The Kubang Kerian MP stressed that PAS should not focus their machinery on states where the party already has a strong foothold.

To take over Putrajaya in the next general election, he said PAS has to find allies in areas where they lack support, especially in Sabah and Sarawak.

Tuan Ibrahim told delegates they would need to form another political cooperation or pact to reach this goal, similar to what was done previously.

“We cannot focus our work only in states where we have strong footing. This is why we need to find a political approach with our allies.

“PAS has participated in general elections 15 times, and every time we went in together with our political allies in various formats and methods that were approved by our Ulama Syura Council, either it was tahaluf siyasi, taawun siyasi, or through political cooperation among friends.

“Thus, to face this big challenge, the time has come for us to look into forming a ‘kelompok muafakat politik’ (political consensus coalition).

“This is especially with our friends in Sabah and Sarawak. I see there is a need for us to find an approach to gain political allies by continuing what we have on the peninsula while spreading our wings in Sabah and Sarawak,” he added.

Nenggiri polls: PAS biggest loser, BN voters returned to fold - pundits

PN routed in Nenggiri, worst by-election performance

Mat Sabu recalls when PAS rode the rocket, DAP in Nik Aziz T-shirts

Lau downplays PAS-Gerakan differences, calls to strengthen PN