“Distressed PAS realises its stay in Putrajaya nearing expiry date”

“Distressed PAS realises its stay in Putrajaya nearing expiry date”

By Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy




PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang is hurt beyond measure. He cannot understand why UMNO, the party that he “nursed back to life” and was battered in the last general election has forgotten his good deeds.

It was PAS that came to the rescue of UMNO, leading to the formation of Muafakat Nasional (MN) in 2019. Without it, the nationalist party would not have been politically resuscitated to the point of winning several by-elections.

But all of a sudden, UMNO is now giving PAS the cold shoulder.

To be fair, it was not UMNO that has moved away from this pact. In fact, the party would not have shut its doors to PAS if it was not for the latter joining hands with Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu).

Maybe Hadi has a short memory. He had forgotten how he has favoured Bersatu-led Perikatan Nasional so many times, much to UMNO’s chagrin. The Marang MP perhaps underestimated UMNO’s political resilience.

Perhaps, there is another reason why PAS chose endear itself to Bersatu under the leadership of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, the former prime minister. This had to do with the material side where PAS leaders were given ministerial positions and other perks.

In short, PAS leaders preferred Bersatu for material reasons rather cementing ties with UMNO on their common ideological grounds; race and religion.

Hadi’s gamble backfired

So, who betrayed whom here? In my view, I think being unprincipled parties that seek sustenance from race and religion, both UMNO and PAS stabbed each other in the back.

However, PAS calling UMNO the traitor, stemming from the fact that it had realised its time in Putrajaya would not be long.

With Barisan Nasional probably winning the next general election, Hadi may have realised that Bersatu is the “lame duck” here, despite calling UMNO using the derisive moniker. It is quite obvious that Bersatu may get knocked off in the upcoming Johor state election.

That is why Hadi is upset that UMNO is now brushing him off.

From the perspective of national politics, either way, PAS is on the road to being reduced to its former parochial status, a party within the confines of the underdeveloped state of Kelantan. – Jan 29, 2022


Ramasamy Palanisamy is the state assemblyperson for Perai. He is also Deputy Chief Minister II of Penang.