JELI, May 1 – DAP does not trust PAS, its ally in Pakatan Rakyat, but the party is merely “hitching a ride” on the Islamist party to garner support from the Malays, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said today.
The deputy prime minister said DAP leaders openly asking the non-Malays to reject PAS in Sunday’s election further exposed what has been “brewing” n the ranks of DAP and PAS.
“The two so-called allies in Pakatan Rakyat are not really aligned and on the same track to pursue their common goals.
“This is a peculiar alliance. If they’re truly united in a genuine coalition, they will ask voters to support anyone whom they have nominated, be they from DAP or PAS.
“Calling on non-Malays to reject PAS has exposed the secret that some party leaders in Pakatan Rakyat are not really comfortable with the three-party collaboration.
“Some leaders and members in DAP and PAS have been wrestling with their conscience about this “unholy alliance” until lately when they have to come in the open to speak up, to ask non-Malays not to support PAS,” he told reporters after attending the 1Malaysia People’s Gathering at Sekolah Kebangsaan Gemang, Ayer Lanas, field, here.
Johor DAP deputy chairman Norman Fernandez had recently urged non-Malays to reject PAS in this election as the Islamist party refused to budge from its hardline stand to implement hudud law (Islamic Penal Code) if Pakatan Rakyat was mandated to helm the federal government.
Making such a call meant that they were mo longer working in unison, Muhyiddin said, adding that some PAS leaders had said they need to convene a special assembly to discuss PAS’ future direction in Pakatan Rakyat.
“There’s already suspicion among their leaders and members, is it justified for PAS to continue to remain in Pakatan Rakyat?, this is dangerous for democracy in Malaysia.
“If the people make a wrong choice and pick the party whose components are in loggerheads on many issues, some may pull out from the opposition pact, the Pakatan Rakyat government will be an unstable government.” he said, urging the people to be careful when making their choice.
“The best is to opt for BN,” said Muhyiddin, who is BN deputy chairman. The deputy prime minister said the Pakatan Rakyat came about in 2008 when their real intentions were not known and the people supported them, but now after five years, they were not aligned with each other.
“They’re now like a crack waiting to break up.
“They may think their strategy worked in the 2008 general election when the people did not know their “inner feelings” and the people voted for them and they retained Kelantan and captured Kedah, (Penang and Selangor), that’s why they were keen to continue the cooperation.
“But after five years, only now they can see the differences in ideology and the issues pursued are different like the Islamic State.
“This showed they are not united, now they are making known their stand that they are not united, only the top leaders are showing they are united but many of the grassroots leaders have rejected this fragile three-party coalition
“If the people give their mandate to Pakatan Rakyat to govern this nation, surely there will be a lot of problems that can destabilise the country,” he said.
Asked on talk that foreign funds have been brought in to finance Opposition’s campaigning, Muhyiddin said the appropriate authorities would monitor the matter.
He reminded political parties contesting in this election to refrain from indulging in unlawful activities. Muhyiddin also said more Kelantanese were now supporting BN after the launch of the red wave campaign to change the PAS-led Kelantan state government.
“The Umno and BN leadership supports the wish of the Kelantan people who want Kelantan Umno and State BN chairman Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed to be the menteri besar if BN wrests the state from PAS,” he added.
BERNAMA
