PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man has expressed his surprise that Perikatan Nasional (PN) has failed to capture Selangor in the recent six state elections in August.
Tuan Ibrahim revealed that this was because his party’s initial target was that PN would be able to capture Selangor and rule the most advanced state in Malaysia.
“We were also surprised why we can’t govern Selangor. The initial target is that we (will) rule Selangor, Pahang, and Perak. Actually, in our strategy, we are confident of capturing the three states,” he said at a press conference after officiating at the 64th PAS Youth Summit in Shah Alam, last night (Oct 18).
“The organisation of the party’s muktamar (assembly) in Selangor was in recognition of the achievements of PN in Selangor in the recent state elections.
“This time, we held the muktamar in Selangor because of our appreciation for Selangor PAS having achieved excellent results recently which contributed 11 seats.
“Coincidentally, we are in a session of Parliament. Holding it in Selangor or the Federal Territory (Kuala Lumpur) will be encouraging, especially for PAS members in Selangor. God willing,” the Kubang Kerian MP said.
Meanwhile, he also expressed confidence that the party will once again be part of the federal government “soon”.
He went on to claim that the foreign leaders he had met had told him that the country’s future depended on PAS and PN.
“We will soon get the opportunity to lead the federal government. And PAS will be at the helm with PN,” the Cheka assemblyman said, adding that the party must be prepared once again to take charge.
Tuan Ibrahim’s statement, when officiating the PAS Youth muktamar last night, came in the wake of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s remarks that his administration was willing to offer PAS a place in the unity government.
Anwar reportedly told Time Magazine on Oct 11 that he had indeed sent out an invitation to PAS to join the unity government last year.
According to Anwar, PAS’s answer was neither a clear rejection nor a positive response.
However, the Tambun MP indicated that the door for PAS to join his administration was still open.
Earlier this week, Tuan Ibrahim was reported as saying the party would not prevent delegates from discussing Anwar’s offer.
In his address last night, he said that when PAS was part of the government, it had only 18 parliamentary seats. Now, despite being in the opposition, it has 49 seats, outranking DAP whose 40 seats makes it the largest party in Anwar’s unity government.
“This is a sign that the end (of being in the opposition) is near,” he said, drawing laughter from the crowd. – Oct 19, 2023
Main pic credit: Facebook/Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man
