A senior leader of PAS says the party has not forged any formal ties with the heads of two Indian-based parties, following accusations the party had betrayed its principles by collaborating with P Waytha Moorthy and P Ramasamy.
Ahmad Yahaya, the PAS ulama council chief, said the two parties (Malaysian Advancement Party, led by Waytha and Urimai, led by Ramasamy) were part of a loose coalition led by Perikatan Nasional chairman Muhyiddin Yassin to focus on issues affecting the people.
“It is not an electoral pact or a permanent alliance, but meant to tackle current issues, like the cost of living,” Ahmad said. “We see no issue if this loose coalition does not come between PAS and PN in terms of our political alliance. Claims of us betraying our principles are just a line being pushed by our rivals.”
Ahmad was speaking to reporters after attending the ulama council’s muktamar here.
Last month, 11 parties outside the government bloc agreed to form a loose coalition to hold the current administration accountable and highlight issues affecting the people, including reform pledges they claim Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has failed to deliver.
The coalition comprises Bersatu, PAS, Gerakan, Pejuang, Muda, the Malaysian Indian People’s Party, Putra, Berjasa, Urimai, Malaysian Advancement Party and the National Indian Muslim Alliance Party.
The formation of the coalition drew criticisms from an Umno leader who said that PAS was prepared to forgo its principles for power, owing to the fact that Waytha and Ramasamy were vocal in their criticisms of the Islamic party in the past.
