PETALING JAYA: PAS has criticised its former allies in the Opposition for practising double standards when it comes to having cordial ties with Umno leaders.
Its vice-president Idris Ahmad (pic) said that when PAS leaders are seen mingling with Umno leaders, they would immediately be accused of working with Barisan Nasional.
However, there were no complaints when some DAP leaders were friendly with their Umno rivals, he said.
“If there are pictures of PAS leaders and Umno leaders drinking tea or participating in a government function together, we will be accused of wanting to join Umno.
“But when there are DAP leaders who not only drink tea but bump bellies and hold hands (with Umno leaders), then it is not an issue.
“Their cybertroopers will justify this, ‘purifying’ their behaviour by saying that it is a government programme so there’s no problem.
But when it is PAS, they will throw all sorts of words at us,” Idris said in a statement.
While the Bukit Gantang MP did not mention any names, there are several politicians from opposite sides of the political divide who are known to be close.
This includes Umno supreme council member Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, who are frequently seen mingling, especially during Parliament sessions.
The pair even held hands during the launch of the Penang Rainbow Skywalk last year, which Nazri attended in his capacity as Tourism and Culture Minister while Lim is Penang Chief Minister.
The sight of PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak at a rally for the Rohingya in December also prompted suggestions of Umno-PAS cooperation.
Abdul Hadi attended a programme organised by the Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Ministry earlier this month, where its minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek was present.
Idris said it would be laughable for Pakatan Harapan to blame PAS if Barisan wins the next general election.
He said this was because Pakatan parties were the ones that wanted to field candidates in Kelantan and other traditional PAS seats, where there were customarily one-on-one contests between the Islamist party and Barisan.
“The truth is that they (Pakatan) are the ones contesting in PAS’ traditional seats where we fight Umno. They are the ones who will become Umno’s ‘lifeline’,” he added.
Source: The Star Online
