‘Strong PAS attracts criticism’

PETALING JAYA: PAS is a force to be reckoned with which is why we attract a lot of criticism, said party deputy president Mohamad Sabu.

“We get criticised day in and day out because we’re a great party. If we are a weak party, no one will care about whatever we say,” he said, at the launch of the PAS Youth Muktamar.

Mohamad Sabu, who is fondly known as Mat Sabu, said that among the main challenges of the party is to find solutions through discussions and dialogues, instead engaging in verbal wars.

He also said all verbal tirade would only serve to benefit their nemesis; the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition.

“So do not be enticed by their (BN) poisonous smiles. They only offer their hands when they are weak.

“When they are strong, they oppress us. The next time they wink and wave at us, I will slap their hands away,” said Mohamad Sabu, drawing laughter from the audience.

Claiming that BN won the last election through ‘witchcraft’, Mat Sabu said that he was confident that the ruling coalition would not be as lucky in the next general election.

“I can already see Putrajaya waving at us,” he said.

Meanwhile, outgoing PAS youth chief Nasruddin Hassan Tantwai said that the party must garner 53% of the youth votes in the next general election to ensure a PAS and Pakatan Rakyat win.

He said this in his keynote speech at the PAS Youth Muktamar opening ceremony, admitting that the youth wing needs to step up efforts to woo young voters.

Based on his statistics, Nasruddin said it was especially so since Johor, Malacca, Negri Sembilan, Perlis, Perak and Penang did not even get 50% of the youth support in the general election.

However, Kelantan, Selangor, Kedah and Terangganu managed to garner more than 50% of the young voters’ votes, while Sabah and Sarawak had an increased youth support of 30%.

In the 13th general election, the youth wing only managed to win five parliamentary seats out of the 19 seats it contested, and won nine state seats out of the 37 seats contested.

“We hope to have increased support of 15 to 20% in all state and parliamentary seats in the next general election,” he said.

He also called upon the youths to rise up and prepare themselves to fight for a Shariah-compliant politics.

“We must prepare ourselves especially in facing challenges coming from Umno and BN. The youths must rise up and uphold God’s shariah,” he said.

He also hinted that with whenever racial issue arises, they will ‘always defend Islam to ensure the country’s harmony’.

“We won’t compromise in any economic, social or political matter that is full of vice,” he said.

He added that together with other Pakatan leaders, they will take the middle path in championing issues related to the rakyat.