‘There will be a change someday’

It is possible to form new political pact to replace BN, says Hadi

KUALA TERENGGANU: The formation of a new political pact to replace Barisan Nasional is not impossible in the future, said Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang (pic).

The PAS president said Malaysian political history has shown that pacts are never permanent, as parties change alliances many times.

“Umno joined the Bandung Conference during (former PAS president) Dr Burhanuddin Helmy’s time in 1955.

“PAS also participated in the movement to secure independence in

1957, although we had a different view of how independence should be achieved,” he said.

Following the May

13, 1969, incident, the country needed unity, and PAS agreed to join the coalition government.

When the Alliance was disbanded in 1974, Barisan Nasional was formed. PAS was also involved then.

“So if the Alliance had a lifespan, surely it is the same with Barisan.

“There will be a change someday, so let’s just wait and see,” said Abdul Hadi at a press conference after opening the PAS Supporters Club convention here.

The convention is held on the sidelines of the PAS muktamar (general assembly).

Abdul Hadi said PAS was willing to form alliances with anyone, if it is beneficial for Malaysia and its people.

With PAS and Umno now in an unofficial pact, Abdul Hadi said the upcoming Port Dickson by-election will be used as another joint training exercise.

“If the military from different countries can do this, we can do this too in an election,” he said.

“In a democratic country, anyone can contest in elections and anyone can step down. This cannot be stopped.”

PAS has already announced that it will not contest in the Port Dickson by-election to give way to Umno.

Abdul Hadi expressed confidence that support for PAS is on the rise and will increase in Port Dickson.

The Port Dickson by-election was called following the resignation of its incumbent Datuk Danyal Balagopal Abdullah from PKR.

The move was to allow PKR president-elect Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to contest for the parliamentary seat, as part of his aim to become the next prime minister.

On Thursday, PAS ulama chief Datuk Dr Mahfodz Mohamed said opposition parties should team up and field only one candidate in future elections to increase the chances of winning.