KOTA BARU: Pas will consider working with Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) provided the electoral pact between PPBM and Pakatan Harapan does not involve the Islamic party.
Pas secretary-general Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan said cooperation between the two parties was still possible as long as the PPBM-Pakatan Harapan pact did not interfere with, or influence, Pas’s interests.
He said Pas stood by its decision not to work or collaborate with Parti Amanah Negara (PAN) or DAP, both of which are part of Pakatan Harapan.
However, he said Pas was open to the idea of being part of a separate alliance with PPBM.
“We don’t want to have anything to do with DAP or PAN. If PPBM wants to form a coalition with Pakatan Harapan, we will excuse ourselves (from being a part of it).
“At the same time, if PPBM has any intention of forming a pact with us, they should keep it professional,” he said.
On Tuesday, PPBM signed an agreement with Pakatan Harapan parties PKR, DAP and PAN to form an electoral pact.
Takiyuddin said during a recent discussion with PPBM leaders, Pas had made it clear that PPBM should not enter a formal alliance with either DAP or PAN if it wanted to work with Pas.
“This is the pre-condition Pas has set for PPBM if they want to form a coalition (with us). However, if PPBM wants to have an independent relationship with DAP and PAN, and then form another partnership with us, we are open to the idea.
“This is highly likely, because there was a time when Pas was working with Semangat 46 but did not have anything to do with DAP. At the time, Semangat 46 had a separate relationship with DAP without involving Pas,” he added.
“Since the electoral pact signing with Pakatan Harapan on Dec 13, we have not heard anything from PPBM. Pas will wait and see if there will be future discussions and if they are still interested in working together,” he said.
Takiyuddin said Pas did not rule out the possibility of three-cornered fights during the upcoming 14th General Election.
It was reported that PPBM president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had said his party was in discussions with Pas to ensure straight fights against Barisan Nasional in the next general election.