PAS expressed firm confidence in its ability to broaden its influence and secure victory in more states, including Melaka, during the upcoming 16th General Election (GE16).
PAS leader Datuk Hashim Jasin attributed this optimism to the strong support demonstrated by the people. He claimed that PAS remains buoyed by robust backing from the Malay community while also noting a growing endorsement from Chinese voters.
“If we look at today’s development, we find that the support for PAS is not decreasing, we are not like other parties. The number of members is increasing, there are always new members every month.
“The calm atmosphere that exists in the party, and the stability of the party has increased the interest of new members. If we can maintain this, what the party’s Melaka chapter wants won’t be impossible,” Malaysiakini quoted him as saying,
“Melaka used to be UMNO’s stronghold. We never expected that they would lose a few seats, and we won in those seats. If this continues, (PAS’) wish will be achieved.”
Melaka, once a stronghold UMNO has witnessed a shift in political dynamics with PAS making notable gains in recent years. Melaka PAS commissioner Zulkifli Ismail echoed this sentiment, expressing optimism about the party’s prospects in the state post-GE16.
Currently, there are four states under Perikatan Nasional’s administration – Perlis, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu.
Zulkifli, also the Jasin MP, underscored the sizeable membership base in Melaka exceeding 23,000 which could be mobilised to garner mass support.
He also drew historical parallels, likening PAS’ members’ potential impact to Prophet Muhammad’s companions who spread Islam in Madinah. He highlighted the en bloc conversion of six individuals from Madinah as significant history.
“It has not happened before that (there were people who) converted to Islam in large numbers in the same period. That was the first.”
Reflecting on PAS’s performance in the previous GE15, Zulkifli noted a surprising surge in support from non-Malay voters in urban areas. He cited PAS’s unexpected victory in Alor Setar as indicative of changing perceptions among voters, who are increasingly evaluating political stability when casting their ballots.
“Many signs from GE15 showed that the support of non-Malay voters is increasing from time to time.
“For instance, we never thought that Alor Setar could go to PAS. The people are evaluating the political stability of the parties now,” he added. – Feb 22, 2024
Main photo credit: Sinar Harian
