SHAH ALAM: Pas will not name its candidate for prime minister before the 14th general election (GE14), Pas vice-president Idris Ahmad said on Sunday.
“Who will be the next prime minister? Wait for (GE14) first, instead of bickering over who is going to win. Let us first see who wins in the election,” Idris said in his speech during the Pas Selangor Fastaqim 2.4 gathering at the Sports Complex in Seksyen 17 here, which drew some 1,000 attendees.
On Tuesday, PPBM chairman and former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had challenged Pas to name its candidate for prime minister before the GE14.
In his speech, Idris took a jibe at Pakatan for naming Dr Mahathir as its candidate.
“Previously, (the opposition pact) were all about reform. ‘Undur Mahathir, undur Mahathir’ was heard.
“Now, they want him back as leader,” he said.
He also said that Pas’s primary goal, should it win in the GE14, is to uphold Islam in Malaysia.
Idris said the party will not budge from its political principles of upholding Islam, despite the various challenges it faces from the opposition coalition.
“Some (opposition) parties are (talking) about going against kleptocracy and calling for reform. (But) where and when does Islam come into the picture?
“We will not join hands with any party… if we are unsure of their position on Islam.
“We are gathered here today to instil the spirit of oneness, and to ensure that our party members are well prepared to face the upcoming general election.
“This election is a critical one, since we are not only facing (challenges) from BN, but we must also face the opposition pact.
“We are being attacked from all corners. Never in a democratic country would you see an opposition party attacking another opposition party.
“Nevertheless, we are confident that with support from the public and our loyal followers, Pas will succeed. The party has been in politics for almost 67 years and went against the government during the former premier’s leadership of 22 years,” he added.
Idris stressed that Pas’s policies and principles have never changed since it was founded, even when it was part of the opposition coalition.
He also said that DAP, although gaining the majority of opposition seats in GE13, does not stand a strong chance of winning in Muslim-majority localities.
“(DAP) only joined hands with other parties (PPBM, PKR and Amanah) to bag the votes and come into power.
“When Pas tabled the RUU355 bill, we did not see any support from Pakatan. In fact, DAP had opposed it.
“We strongly believe that Islam will offer the security and peace needed. All races and the government will be in harmony,” he added.