KUALA PILAH: The standoff between Bersatu and PAS, rivals at the Negeri Sembilan state election although remaining partners in Perikatan Nasional, was described as “crazy” today by Bersatu secretary-general Azmin Ali.
Using a divorce as an analogy, Azmin said Bersatu had never wanted to end its ties with any party in PN.
“We never divorced anyone, but because they wanted to divorce us, they still want to stay in our house and refuse to leave – divorced in the morning, wanting to sleep with us at night. It’s crazy,” he said at an election ceramah in Batu Kikir in support of Bersatu’s Zuhaimi Md Yusof who is contesting the Juasseh constituency.
Bersatu and PAS ended political ties last month and the PAS-led PN reached an electoral pact with Barisan Nasional in which the two coalitions agreed to avoid a clash in the state election, with BN contesting 25 seats while PN is contesting 11.
Bersatu has opposed the pact and is contesting the election under its own banner in 24 seats, setting up clashes with PN in eight constituencies.
Azmin criticised PAS for its “betrayal” at the Johor state election earlier this month, when PAS decided against campaigning for Bersatu, which contested the election under the PN banner. PN ended up being wiped out in Johor.
Turning to the current election campaign, he said: “When election season comes, suddenly a new religious ruling emerges. They can embrace and support each other in the name of Malay unity, but in the end, the Malays are divided”.
Azmin also dismissed questions over the commitment of Bersatu leaders towards their struggles. “Without a political party that exploits religion, our faith remains Islam. Without a party that uses the guise of Islam, our faith remains Islam. Without a narrow race-based party, we remain Malays,” he said.
