Pas can’t be leading PN, says Urimai

K PRAGALATH

Urimai which is part of PN’s Ikatan Prihatin Rakyat (IPR) – the loose pact of opposition parties outside PN – has rubbished the notion of Pas leading PN.

“Pas might have more members of Parliament and state assemblymen; however, it should not be forgotten that this support was derived on the basis of an opposition coalition,” said Urimai’s interim chairman P Ramasamy in a statement.

“I don’t think that, in the absence of a pact with Bersatu, Pas might have increased its electoral support in the last general and state elections.

The former DAP man also questioned Pas’ efforts to push for a second Muafakat Nasional (MN) with certain segment of Umno leaders.

“I wonder why Pas would seek to strike a political deal with Umno, as the historical struggle of the former has been defined in relation to the latter.

“Did Pas leaders seriously think that Muafakat Nasional with Umno was a better alternative to PN?

“I wonder how Pas could rescue Umno from its twilight zone.”

“Letting go of Bersatu to be replaced by Umno in MN is akin to building sandcastles in the air.”

Ramasamy reminded that the support of the non-Malay electorate to PN is due to Bersatu, not Pas.

“When it comes to gaining the support of non-Malays, Bersatu, despite its mono-ethnic status, enjoys better rapport with them than Pas.

“Non-Malays, in general, are wary of Pas because of its extremism in politics.

“The presence of Bersatu and its leaders helped to moderate the extremism of Pas.

“Pas might genuinely want to gain the support of non-Malays, but to date, it has not found the political formula.

“With Bersatu leaders quitting PN, it would be difficult for Pas alone to win back non-Malay support.”

Ramasamy felt that Pas “was not comfortable” when Bersatu president Tan Sri Mahiaddin Yassin started off IPR.

Mahiaddin’s resignation from PN as its chairman that led to a number of Bersatu leaders following suit has led the opposition coalition into a crisis mode, forcing Pas to take over the lead.

It also dampened Pas’ efforts to revive MN.