Pas toeing Pakatan's line

KUALA LUMPUR: Pas seems to be putting its pursuits to implement the Islamic state and hudud laws in the backseat as it tries to adjust with the demands of its partners in Pakatan Rakyat.

Political analyst Datuk Dr. Zainal Kling told The Mole  that Pas is forced to adapt to the current political situation as it is bound by its ties with DAP and PKR.

Zainal who is head of History, Heritage and Socio-culture Cluster under the National Council of Professors said: "One of the biggest factor is that Pas has no choice but to respect and adhere to the agreement made during the formation of Pakatan."  

He said Pas may have agreed with the decisions made under the Pakatan banner but it has to forego its struggle in order to maintain a good relationship within the coalition.

Commenting on Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang's statement that DAP won't survive without Pas' support, Zainal said it was merely a strategy to restore confidence that is waning among its previously staunch supporters.  

"At the same time Pas is trying to show that they are still relevant in the tussle for Putrajaya from Barisan National ruling government," he said.

Abdul Hadi yesterday maintained that Pas is still the strongest, compared to its partners in Pakatan.

Abdul Hadi was quoted in Sinar Harian that DAP cannot form and head the government if the opposition wins the next general election as the real back bone in the coalition is Pas.

He said Pas is the most successful in Pakatan and would probably be contesting in 80 seats while the DAP would go for 50 or 60 seats.

Abdul Hadi speculated that the DAP would probably win between 40 or 50 seats.

Abdul Hadi said Pas was stronger since it has strong machinery and the willingness to contest in seats which PKR and DAP have classified as non-winnable.

However, blogger Dr. Novandri Hassan Basri questioned whether it is wise for Pas to be taking such a risk by placing their candidates in the non-winnable seats.

"Abdul Hadi's statement makes it look like Pas is being given the risky seats which are not wanted by DAP and PKR," Dr. Novandri wrote.

Source: MOLE