Much to discuss: Hashim (right) delivering his speech during the muktamar at Darul Hadis Learning Centre in Alor Setar. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star
ALOR SETAR: PAS should take charge of Perikatan Nasional and present its own prime minister candidate for the coalition in the next general election says the party’s spiritual leader.
Datuk Hashim Jasin said the moment was ripe for PAS to lead Perikatan into the 16th General Election (GE16) and that the coalition’s parties should use PAS’ white and green flag as its symbol.
“At a personal level, I support the resolution made by our Youth wing, and I believe this will strengthen our chances of victory (in GE16),” he said after the opening of Ulama Council 64th assembly here on Sept 13.
The former Arau MP said given the momentum and readiness that PAS carried in Perikatan, it was clear that PAS was prepared to move forward.
On Sept 12, PAS Youth information chief Khairul Nadzir Helmi Azhar tabled a motion for PAS to assume leadership of Perikatan and put forward a candidate for prime minister.
The motion was passed unanimously and will be debated at the party’s 71st muktamar (assembly) that takes place on Sept 15 and 16.
The move is seen as a statement of intent by the Islamist party, signalling the party’s readiness not only to consolidate its position within Perikatan but also to chart the course for national leadership ahead of GE16.
PAS’ stance follows that of its partner, Bersatu, who named party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as Perikatan’s prime minister candidate for GE16 during the latter’s own assembly on Sept 7.
Without naming any party, Hashim criticised voices within the Perikatan coalition for announcing decisions on key matters of policy, allegedly without consultation and consensus.
“I had raised this matter as early as two years ago. Any decision on core policies in Perikatan must only be reached through consultation.
“At the time, there were quarters who felt such announcements could be made unilaterally.
“That was precisely why I stressed it should not be done that way. Every decision must come only after thorough discussion,” he said.
Hashim stressed that for GE16, Perikatan should unify under the symbol of the PAS flag.
“The use of PAS’s symbol can be a winning factor, just as seen in Kelantan and Terengganu (in the last GE).
“In other words, the party’s emblem alone carries strong weight and recognition, much like its impact in those two states,” he said.
During the last GE and state elections, Perikatan had used the PAS logo only in Kelantan and Terengganu.
On reports of other parties showing interest in joining Perikatan, Hashim said it is not impossible as people now realised that the coalition could lead.
He however stressed that those who want to join PAS or Perikatan must toe the party line and not impose conditions.
“If they want to join us it cannot be on condition that we follow their lead. That is not right.
“To suddenly claim the right to be prime minister goes against our culture and our way of leadership,” he added.
About 600 delegates attended the Ulama Council 64th Muktamar that was held at Darul Hadis Learning Centre in Kampung Tok Keling here.
Present during the muktamar were PAS Ulama Council chief Datuk Ahmad Yahaya, deputy chief Zulkifli Ismail and Perak PAS commissioner Razman Zakaria.
