KUALA LUMPUR: A Pas leader has criticised Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, saying that the latter is only concerned that Barisan Nasional (BN) will lose influence if Pas joins the unity government due to its liabilities.
However, Pas Youth chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari has assured that Pas would not leave Perikatan Nasional despite the olive branch offered by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
"Of course BN is worried it would be 'expelled' from the government should Pas become an ally to the Prime Minister in the government as it has a lot of liabilities and a smaller number of MPs compared to Pas.
"However, I would like to say that BN should not be worried as Pas will not join the government and leave Perikatan Nasional," he said to the New Straits Times.
This is in response to Zahid's earlier statement calling for Pas to change its attitude before it can join the unity government, as the BN coalition is "fed up" with Pas, which lacks loyalty as a coalition partner and engages in "mut'ah marriage" (political marriage of convenience).
He was asked about the remarks made by Anwar who did not dismiss the possibility that he was ready to consider making Pas a partner in the unity government.
In a recent interview with American-based news magazine Time, the PKR president and Pakatan Harapan chairman revealed that the government had already sent an invitation to Pas on the matter.
"Yes, I have been open to the idea from the beginning. After all, this is a unity government and we do what is best for our country.
"But of course, we are going to draw a line. Islam is the religion of the federation, but this is a multi-religious country and I want every single citizen in this country, of all religious persuasions, to know that they have a place in this country," he was quoted as saying in the report.