QUICK TAKE: Sarawak PAS believes that it has gained ground in the state and refutes claims that the Islamic party has little chance of winning a seat in the looming state election.
Sarawak PAS commissioner Jofri Jaraiee, in a recent statement, said that criticism made against the party did not reflect the reality of the political situation in the state.
He said that some statements made against the party, which claimed that the party was weak, were undemocratic, did not deserve media coverage and were unwarranted.
He cited the example of the media statement issued by former Pakatan Rakyat partner PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail which claimed that PAS has not garnered enough support to front viable candidates in the upcoming state election. And there would be no seat for the party.
“PKR has to be more careful of the sly tactics used by their Pakatan Harapan ally namely DAP which has a reputation of ‘stealing’ former PKR candidates and declaring them as DAP aspirants as in the last general election," he said.
Sarawak PAS will contest in 11 seats including a number of urban seats contested by DAP, Jofri declared.
“The decision to contest these state seats was made without reference to Pakatan Harapan as PAS is no longer part of that coalition. Regardless, Sarawak PAS is willing to negotiate with PKR to maintain ‘Tahaluf Siyasi’ (political cooperation) with them,” he said.
PAS competed in five seats in the last state election in 2011. The 11th State Election will see PAS vying for Beting Maro, Sebuyau, Sadong Jaya, Muara Tuang, Samariang, Jepak, Samalaju, Lambir, Senadin, Batu Kawa, Dudong and other seats are being considered.
PAS spread its wings to Sarawak as early as 1996 and had contested in the state since 2001. PAS is presently active in 11 regions and has about 3,000 activists on the ground, according to Jofri.
“PAS’s ‘Projek Untukmu Sarawak (UMS)’ initiative includes social, missionary and education programmes which are said to be well organised and received by the local community.
“Sarawak PAS is not dictated by issues that exist within the party in the peninsula and stands firm as a party based on Islamic struggle for all regardless of race or religion,” he said, adding that “the existence of the PAS Supporters Congress, which consists of non-Muslims who are go-betweens and relationship builders for the various races and religions in Sarawak, is proof of this.”
“With such initiatives in place, saying that PAS has no support in Sarawak, as reported in the media, is false. This may be due to the party not being involved in any controversial issue and community work which are deemed too dull for coverage,” said Jofri.
He said PAS fights to improve the fate of the people through its political agenda, missionary work, personal development, education, welfare and community programmes.
In terms of education, PAS has set up 28 Tunas Islam Care Centres (PASTI) which teach pre-school children. It has also set up Islamic institutions to help youths and adults, and established community complaint centres.
PAS will continue to fight for people’s issues, at national and international levels, Jofri added. - The Ant Daily
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