PAS leader recalls when Guan Eng wanted to rule like Caliph Umar

PAS spiritual leader Hashim Jasin has acknowledged that the political reality in Malaysia dictates that parties must form alliances to win the general election.

Pointing out that collaboration based on “akidah” or belief would be the strongest form of partnership, the Sanglang assemblyperson, however, did not discount working with others on economic, social welfare and other aspects.

On that note, he made it clear that rekindling ties with DAP would be unworkable and revisited their previous alliance in Pakatan Rakyat, notably when the then DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng wanted to follow in the footsteps of Caliph Umar Abdul Aziz in ruling Penang.

“We (PAS and DAP) were good friends back then.

“Lim had said he wanted to rule Penang like Umar Abdul Aziz. He said this… and we could accept him,” Hashim (above, right) said, adding that it turned out to be untrue later.

At the time, Umno leaders were not pleased with the DAP leader choosing the Islamic ruler as his role model, arguing that as a non-Muslim he should not be comparing himself to the caliph, and should pick others like Abraham Lincoln, Confucius or Nelson Mandela.

However, Lim, who is now the DAP chairperson, defended his choice, suggesting that he could not learn such noble values from Umno.

‘Mental disease’

Hashim further suggested that DAP did not live up to expectations and therefore to continue viewing them in a positive light would be nothing short of a “mental disease”.

“We don’t consider DAP an enemy because of race,” he said, alluding to those who interpret the attacks on the predominantly Chinese party as targeting the community.

“But they (DAP) have displayed their behaviour and the direction of their struggle is what makes us see them as falling under the ambit of ‘political enemy’,” he told Harakahdaily.

Without elaborating, Hashim also claimed that there was a “condition for members (not to have ties) with the president Abdul Hadi Awang”.

“We could not accept this,” the Sanglang assemblyperson said without clarifying details about this so-called condition.

Islamic approach

Despite the repeated denials of DAP leaders, PAS has constantly accused the party of attempting to undermine Islam and the special position of the Malays.

Hashim said PAS has never denied the need for political cooperation based on Islamic approaches and principles as well as uniting the Muslim community.

“That is the reason PAS has never considered Umno a foe all this time.

“Perhaps because of the leadership in Umno, it makes it unsuitable for us to think of cooperation (for now). But the door is open,” he added.

Bitter feud

PAS and Umno were bitter rivals for several decades and their feud had even divided families.

However, both parties formed an alliance after the 2018 general election, which saw Umno being ousted from power and Pakatan Harapan, which included DAP, becoming part of the federal administration.

This relationship soon soured and Umno has now joined hands with Harapan to form the coalition government after the 2022 general election.

PAS has made it clear that it would not work with Umno as long as Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is the president.

'No DAP, no Anwar' - PAS spiritual leader rubbishes joining federal govt talk

PAS spiritual leader claims efforts made for party to join federal govt

PAS man should look in mirror, not scapegoat DAP: Aziz Bari

Umno never protested bearing DAP flags unlike PAS - Pahang MB

Umno will lose identity if remains allied to 'rotten fish' DAP - Perak PAS