PAS not envious of Umno-DAP ties, says Takiyuddin

SHAH ALAM: PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan has brushed off claims his party is “envious” of Umno’s cooperation with DAP, insisting that PAS is faring better now under Perikatan Nasional.

Takiyuddin said PAS has seen greater electoral success under PN than it did during its alliance with DAP in the now-defunct Pakatan Rakyat.

“In the past, when we were with DAP, we did get a lot of votes. But after leaving and joining PN, PAS has won even more seats.

“That’s the measure of who we are more successful with,” he told reporters after attending the Malaysia Indian People’s Party unity festival here today.

PAS currently holds 43 seats in the Dewan Rakyat, making it the largest party in Parliament ahead of DAP, PKR, and PN ally Bersatu.

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The party first gained momentum in the 1999 general election, winning 27 seats, after joining forces with DAP under the Barisan Alternatif banner. However, its support began to decline in subsequent elections, securing 20 seats in 2004, 23 in 2008, and 21 in 2013.

In 2015, PAS exited Pakatan Rakyat, citing irreconcilable differences with DAP.

Takiyuddin was responding to Umno vice-president Khaled Nordin, who claimed PAS had not “moved on” from its fallout with DAP and was scapegoating its former ally and Umno for its recent loss in the Ayer Kuning by-election.

Khaled’s comments came after PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang said Umno’s victory in Ayer Kuning stemmed from the Umno-DAP alliance, which he claimed sought to “purify” DAP, a party which had allegedly “openly taken anti-Islam stances”.

Takiyuddin also said it was unfair to judge PAS based solely on the Ayer Kuning result, noting that the constituency was historically an Umno stronghold.

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“It’s just like Sungai Bakap (where) we managed to retain the seat. No issue,” he said.

On a separate matter, Takiyddin defended the proposed June 14 rally by PAS Youth to protest against the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) Bill, dismissing allegations that it was meant to deflect from internal tensions in PN.

He said the proposed law contradicts the Federal Constitution and the Land Acquisition Act 1960.

“Our opposition (to the URA bill) is based on principles, not politics or emotion. So, the rally will go ahead,” he said.

The PN’s chief whip also said the opposition is still waiting for a response from the government on its funding request submitted in March.

“We haven’t been called in yet. We’re still waiting,” he said, referring to a letter sent following deputy prime minister Fadillah Yusof’s request for one before an opposition MPs’ allocation panel can be set up.