SHAH ALAM: Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang views the cooperation between the Islamist party and Umno in the Seri Setia by-election as a signal for greater things ahead for both parties.
Hadi said this as he sees the recently concluded Sungai Kandis by-election where Pas had worked with Umno during the campaign trail as a move in the right direction.
“I see the Sungai Kandis by-election as a positive start and in Seri Setia, (our cooperation) can be strengthened. This can be seen in the presence of Umno leaders during the announcement of the candidate as well as nomination day. It is more open now,” said Hadi.
He said this in a press conference held after the Seri Setia by-election meeting that was held behind closed doors with Pas election machinery workers at the party’s state headquarters, here, today.
Hadi also said that he does not think that Pas will be affected by Umno’s participation in their campaign trail despite it being embroiled with various scandals.
He felt that the rakyat could judge for themselves on the 100-day pledge’s promised by Pakatan Harapan (PH) and this could be a time for the people to re-evaluate the votes that were given to the coalition in the 14th General Election.
“We had already seen a change in Sungai Kandis when the voters turnout percentage was low and we see an increases vote’s for Umno and a decrease for PH.
“This is an interesting change and I feel this by-election will be advantageous for us,” added Hadi.
Hadi adds that Pas’ cooperation with in the opposition bloc was also extended to MCA, which has fielded Tan Chee Teong in the Balakong by-election.
He said Pas will join in MCA’s campaign trail based on the spirit of friendship as an opposition bloc.
Hadi reasoned that DAP had attacked Pas on hudud unlike MCA which had taken a softer approach on the matter.
“Why do we cooperate with MCA and DAP? MCA is against hudud and so is DAP. But DAP had objected to hudud when we were together in Pakatan Harapan..(when we were) in the same coalition. They (DAP) attacked us although we were in the same coalition.
“MCA is not in the same coalition. They did not agree and they just say they do not agree. They did not attack (us) as how did DAP did. That is the difference,” said Hadi.