BARISAN Nasional (BN) may be “power crazy” but PAS is much worse than that, seeing as to how the Islamist party had “backstabbed” the coalition after the 14th general election (GE14) in 2018, said Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad.
In an Utusan Malaysia report, the UMNO Supreme Council member said the main objective of any political party that is registered with the Election Commission and contests in the election was to govern either at the state or federal level.
The goal should be followed by a noble cause without the need to sacrifice party principles to defend the livelihood of the people, the Malays and the Islamic religion, he added.
“This was what happened in Perak when we agreed to become the first state to establish a unity government by collaborating with Pakatan Harapan after the 15th general election (GE15),” he was quoted as saying at an event in Johor Bahru last night (Aug 31).
“During the negotiations, DAP had specifically agreed to respect the principles of the party’s causes, including not raising the issue of the 999-year land ownership for new villages in Perak.
“BN Perak, which had won nine state seats at that time had also hear PAS’ offer to establish a 100% Islamic state government, although they had never come forth with an offer.”
Saarani made these remarks during a media session after officiating the “Question & Answer on Current Issues” programme by UMNO Johor.
Also present were UMNO Johor’s secretary Datuk Abdul Halim Suleiman and UMNO Johor’s information chief Datuk Jais Sarday.
Elaborating, Saarani pointed out that what had happened in the aftermath of GE15 was not as bad as the “betrayal” committed by PAS during GE14 when they backstabbed the coalition by forming a government with PH.
“In GE14, no party won a simple majority. BN won 27 of the 59 state seats in Perak, all secured by UMNO, while PAS managed to win three seats, thus making it possible for both parties to form the state government,” Saarani recalled.
“UMNO had already agreed to all of PAS’s requests to form the state government, including giving its assemblymen posts in the executive council.
“Yet, several hours before we had an audience with the Perak sultan to be sworn in, they backstabbed us by backing out. Is this the type of party we should ally ourselves with just because they are championing Islam?” – Sept 1, 2023
Main pic credit: Harian Metro
