BATU PAHAT: Parties that work with PAS will inevitably end in divorce, says Pakatan Harapan secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
He said the decision by PAS to officially end its political cooperation with Bersatu did not come as a surprise, as such break-ups are a recurring pattern in the Islamist party’s political history.
“The decision by PAS’ central committee is nothing new if we look at the party’s political journey.
“Whoever joins forces with them ends up in a divorce. The only question is whether it is talak satu, talak dua or talak tiga,” he told reporters after attending an engagement programme with students at Pusat Latihan Teknologi Batu Pahat on Tuesday (June 9).
“We have seen it with Semangat 46, with its own coalition partners, then with Umno through Muafakat Nasional and now with Bersatu. The question is, who will be next?” he said.
Saifuddin, also PKR vice-president, said PAS’ use of penyatuan ummah (Muslim unity) is based on their own interpretation and perspective.
“The principles of political Islam are to uphold justice, promote good, prevent wrongdoing, encourage kindness and foster compassion and unity.
“You cannot claim that when you were friends, the basis was Muslim unity, and when you divorce, the basis is still Muslim unity. You cannot interpret it according to your own preferences,” he said.
Asked if the break-up would be an advantage to Pakatan, Saifuddin stressed that his coalition would not become stronger simply because its political rivals were experiencing internal divisions.
Instead, he said Pakatan’s strength would continue to depend on hard work and cooperation among its component parties.
“When one party is strong, everyone benefits. When one party is weak, we help it overcome its weaknesses.
“That is the true meaning of political cooperation,” he said.
On Monday (June 8), PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang announced that the party had officially terminated its political cooperation with Bersatu with immediate effect.
